Farmlander October 2018 South by Farmlands

SPECIAL OFFERS AND INFORMATION FOR FARMLANDS SHAREHOLDERS

OCTOBER 2018 Valid from 1â&#x20AC;&#x201C;31 October 2018

The FARMLANDER FARMIQ IN FOCUS

PAGE 6

BENEFITS OF HIGH-TECH TOOL

DISCUSSING DATA

TALKING FARM MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE PAGE 8

7802 1047 MAY EXP 0991 6005 LDER RD HO AM CA RD HOLDER CA ANDY 780 911047

GREAT CARD PARTNER DEALS INSIDE!

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

PAGE 16

Join us on our mission to help make New Zealand’s farms the safest in the world. We’re already among the most effective and innovative, why not aim to be the safest too? It’s an achievable goal. As a first step towards this, we want to equip all shareholders with free safety software to help keep them, their workers and their families safe. That’s why we’ve teamed up with FarmIQ, New Zealand’s most complete farm software, to create the Farmlands SafeFarms Pack containing innovative tools to help make Health and Safety management on your property easier and more effective.

To start your digital Health and Safety journey today, visit

FAR_08177

www.farmlands.co.nz/safefarms

2 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

On-Farm Safety Management App

Manage Hazards

Induct Contractors

Assign tasks

Diary for everyone on farm

0800 200 600 www.farmlands.co.nz WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 3

INSIDE THIS ISSUE INTEREST

OCTOBER PLAN365

Farmlands staff profile

From the CEO

Feeding for optimum performance

5 minutes with Andrew Horsbrugh

Balancing the major mineral needs of cows

Special Feature – Adding value

Troubleshooting egg shell quality issues in your flock

SafeFarm set to improve Health and Safety on-farm

High-tech tool designed to benefit shareholders

Plan365 Nutrition

Plan365 Forage and Arable 33

The lasting value of a clean start

New kale genetics deliver

Is herbicide resistance knocking at your door?

Personal answers to the Health and Safety question

Pick the right brassica herbicide

Taking a look at lucerne

Farmlands at The New Zealand Agricultural Show 2018

Now is the critical time to protect cereal yields

A step change in lamb finishing potential

A progressive partnership

Farmlands Cup is your cup

Buying Power Promise

Choices Rewards

Responding to your feedback

Innovation and technology to make the milking shed safer

Century Farms – Erskine family celebrates more than 130 years

Farmlands Real Estate

SPECIAL OFFERS AND INFORMATION FOR

FARMLANDS SHAREHOLDERS

BENEFITS OF HIGH-TECH TOOL

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

PAGE 16

TALKING FARM MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

Ensure your calves hit their target weights

Achieving goals using monitoring technology

Timely disease management now pays off later

Robust, effective botrytis control for grapes

Plan365 Rural Infrastructure 56

7 years on

Cost effective infrastructure essential

Installing your water tank

Solutions that suit New Zealand conditions

0991

1047

7802 EXP

MAY

CARD PARTNER DEALS REAT C GREAT GR G

OCTOBER

Don’t miss New Zealand’s premier equine event! Join the Farmlands team at Canterbury Agricultural Park for demonstrations and seminars across all equine disciplines.

OCTOBER ON THE COVER Lone Star Farms General Manager, Boyd MacDonald is an advocate for farm management software.

We're your co-operative so we want to hear what you think Join us in Timaru to discuss how your co-operative is performing and our vision for the future. For more information, visit www.farmlands.co.nz/rsvp

PAGE 8

6005

It’s Blenheim, Greymouth and Christchurch’s turn to host Karen Walker for an inspirational evening!

Equidays

Plan365 Horticulture

Valid from

PAGE 6

DISCUSSING DATA

OCTOBER 2018

FARMIQ IN FOCUS

Ladies Night

20-21

Plan365 Animal Management

1–31 October 2018

RMLANDER ARM FAR The FA

2-4 OCTOBER

Notice of Annual General Meeting

WHAT’S ON

INSIDE!

HOLDER HOLDER AM CARD CARD ANDY

911047780

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

4 | THE FARMLANDER

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

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

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FARMLANDS STAFF PROFILE Jo Murray Q: What is your current role at Farmlands? A: Partnership Manager – I work with our retail Card Partners to ensure that we provide the best possible retail opportunities for our shareholders.

FROM THE CEO

Q: What do you enjoy about your job? A: I enjoy the many different interactions with people and building good, solid relationships with our Card Partners.

Welcome to the October issue of The Farmlander magazine. In this issue we look at how Farmlands can add value to your business through technology, in particular our relationship with FarmIQ.

Q: Where are you from originally? A: I’m originally from England – I moved to New Zealand 10 years ago and have lived in Canterbury since then. Q: What would you do if you won $100,000? A: Travel! I’d take the kids to Disney World on a trip of a lifetime – then travel back via Africa to go on safari. Q: Past or present, who would you like to meet? What would you ask them? A: Kate Sheppard. I would ask her what her motivations were for joining the women’s suffrage movement and what social challenges did she face and overcome during this time.

Our co-operative has invested in a 30 percent stake in this game-changing farm management software company. We chose to partner with FarmIQ because we identified the need to support our shareholders with what they need today and into the future as well. At the end of September, we produced our first offer for shareholders through FarmIQ. Given the importance of keeping our people safe, it is an offer that is available to all shareholders, free of charge. SafeFarm, a digital Health and Safety offer from FarmIQ, is available to every Farmlands shareholder in the country at no cost. There are no strings to this offer – this is simply about ensuring you and the people on your property have an opportunity to work safe and get home safe, every day. We appreciate not everyone is prepared or ready to move their farm management to computers. That is why we consider this free offer the start of the digital farming journey for some of our shareholders. There is a mobile or desktop version of this program and shareholders simply need to go to the Farmlands website – www.farmlands.co.nz – to access it. Its purpose is to help our shareholders manage their Health and Safety on-farm more effectively. We have seen the statistics and the headlines regarding serious injuries and fatalities in rural New Zealand. Farmlands wants to assist with the protection of our shareholders and effective Health and Safety management is a cornerstone of this – as is your attitude to safety.

Brioche Bread and Butter Pudding

Ingredients • 3 eggs • 3 tablespoons caster sugar • 2 cups of both milk and cream – mixed together • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 loaf brioche bread • 50g butter • Large handful of raisins (if you need an extra sugar hit, add some chocolate chips to the mix as well)

You can read more about the FarmIQ offer throughout this issue. We are excited about the possibilities our partnership with FarmIQ brings to our shareholders – stay tuned as we continue our digital journey.

Kind regards,

Method 1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. 2. Mix the eggs, sugar, milk and vanilla extract together in a large bowl. 3. Slice the brioche – toast and butter it.

Peter Reidie

4. Place slices in an ovenproof dish.

Chief Executive Officer Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited

5. Add the raisins and chocolate chips then pour in the egg mixture. 6. Bake for 30 minutes in the pre-heated oven. 7. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and custard.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 5

5 minutes with Andrew Horsbrugh Director – Agri Products and Services, Farmlands

Why did Farmlands invest in FarmIQ? The future of New Zealand farming is linked to data and insight and it is a matter of when, not if, farmers will need their inputs to be digitally

As Director – Agri Products and Services, Andrew Horsbrugh oversees the Farmlands Emerging Technology portfolio. He discusses Farmlands’ investment in FarmIQ and how it will benefit shareholders.

captured. FarmIQ can help us unlock

Tell us about your role as the Farmlands representative on the FarmIQ Board.

to help advance agriculture.

Farmlands invested in FarmIQ in late December 2017. We are joined as investors with three other companies that have a vested interest in the future of New Zealand agriculture – Pamu (Landcorp), Silver Fern Farms and VetEnt.

is for the betterment of our owners.

As well as the obvious governance focus, having a seat at the table allows us to help with the direction of the company to make sure our shareholders’ interests are well represented. It also provides early visibility of the perpetual new developments, enabling us to plan for how these might help Farmlands and our shareholders.

“

this. It’s about driving better farm incomes for New Zealand agriculture and horticulture – as a co-operative that wants to lead rather than follow,

FarmIQ pulls the multitude of systems or data sets a farm has to manage into one spot. It is a platform that helps farmers more efficiently manage their business, contributing to better decision making. What can shareholders expect from the FarmIQ partnership?

this is a key part of our desire We have stringent measures in place to ensure any investment we make That, combined with our strategy to identify ways to grow New Zealand agriculture, saw Farmlands invest in FarmIQ because it can add real value for our shareholders. We see FarmIQ as “best of breed”. We are not complacent and we also want to help FarmIQ become the preferred digital platform for the primary sector in New Zealand. Change is constant in our sector and for the past few years, Farmlands has worked hard to put the “building blocks” of our future in place. We want to help shareholders prepare for the changes, both when interacting with their co-operative (Braveheart

The future of New Zealand farming is linked to data and insight and it is a matter of if, not when, farmers will need their inputs to be digitally captured.

6 | THE FARMLANDER

Programme) and making decisions affecting their own business (ASB).

Farmlands and FarmIQ will work hand in hand to deliver insightful solutions back to shareholders. FarmIQ is farm management software that provides users with simple compliance, inputs, delivery and traceability tools – while also helping with everyday tasks like labour management, Health and Safety, inventory, shopping and task lists, daily diary, etc. Over time, this will develop further and provide value-added advice to you directly into your farm, such as allowing you to view and compare your farm against benchmarked farms. Farm management software enhances a farm’s value by integrating all activities onto one platform, enabling better decision making and accurate record keeping. It enables a farmer to improve production and yield through data and trend analysis and improves farm profitability by better decision making and increasing efficiencies. Regulatory, processor and consumer requirements continue to evolve. These days, the discerning consumer with discretionary income will say “I will buy this product if it aligns with my values”. How do you prove it aligns? It will be tools like FarmIQ that help our

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FARMLANDS 5 MINUTES

farmers achieve the premiums on offer. There are some good examples of farmers using FarmIQ for other advantages – you can read in this issue about a farmer being able to prove what paddocks their cows had been in, which greatly assisted during Mycoplasma bovis discussions. What is the first part of Farmlands’ FarmIQ shareholder offer? We’ve worked with FarmIQ to bring our shareholders the Health and Safety package and have further enhanced it to provide the optimal product from a safety perspective. We are now excited to offer this Health and Safety software tool, called SafeFarm, free of charge to all Farmlands shareholders. Why is it free? It is free because we care about our shareholders and think this is a really important area that needs focus. It is a great advantage of this partnership with FarmIQ that we can provide a tool such as SafeFarm that can truly make a difference. The power of our co-operative has allowed us to invest in a technology that keeps our shareholders safe. It is also the start of our digital journey with our shareholders. We appreciate not everyone is comfortable with digital technology, so we have provided the tools to help people learn. As it is a free package to over 68,000 shareholders, it is important that it is self-serve. Shareholders can load themselves onto the package, with support from the help videos and self-learning tutorials that are available. It means shareholders can learn at their own pace and use

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

| Farmlands Director – Agri Products and Services, Andrew Horsbrugh.

this to make the difference on-farm.

our horticulture shareholders as well.

For those that want expert help to further complement what is on offer through SafeFarm, Farmlands has worked with Card Partners such as OnFarmSafety New Zealand that can provide shareholders with a range of professional Health and Safety consulting services.

I’d love to see every farmer and grower

What can we expect from future FarmIQ shareholder offers?

and that they are aware of hazards.

The FarmIQ packages are perpetually evolving in areas that better service or meet farmers’ and growers’ needs. Recent work on the dairy package has significantly enhanced what it provides for dairy farmers. Future plans will help the FarmIQ farm management software become more relevant and efficient for

in New Zealand using SafeFarm to help manage and improve the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves, their staff and their visitors. SafeFarm will include a farm diary, inventory control and soon to be released safe visit tools, so you know who is on your farm You can control and manage visitors and their safety in a simple manner. We understand not everyone is up with the technology age but this is a great opportunity to start. Watch this space as we continue to develop the package to meet the needs of Farmlands shareholders and the wider primary sector.

THE FARMLANDER | 7

ADDING VALUE

8 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

TECHNOLOGY

Lone Star Farms is a business built for the future. Their valueadd business model focuses on creating premium product and finding markets that will pay top dollar for the result. The search for a production advantage has taken them on a digital journey, where farm management software has helped them with everything from identifying their best paddocks to Mycoplasma bovis. Trying to photograph Lone Star Farms General Manager, Boyd MacDonald is a logistical nightmare – not because he is shy but rather he never seems to be in one place very long. When he spoke with The Farmlander, Boyd was heading to Golden Bay to spend time at one of Lone Star Farms’ seven sheep and beef operations.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 9

Lone Star Farms is a business that has identified – and is

“Omega lamb has the health benefits that Omega

working hard to perfect – the value-add business model

brings. It’s a differentiated lamb product and high in

in the growing market for the discerning consumer. The

marbling as well – it’s a great tasting product.”

social consciousness movement is leading the industry to

A point of difference in the market is a great start but

address consumers that want to increasingly understand

Lone Star Farms wanted to set the bar higher for their

the inputs that went into the meals they are about to eat.

product. They wanted to be able to tell a story to their

“We are focusing on trying to grow high marble grass-

end users, so they began to investigate how farm

fed beef and focusing on growing Omega lambs,”

management software could elevate their business.

Boyd says. “It means looking at ways to get up the value chain and producing a quality product. “We are working with First Light Foods and their marketers in North America, while our lamb through the High Health Alliance is selling in the food service businesses of New Zealand and Hong Kong. Our aim to produce the highest quality grass fed protein with the lowest impact on the environment.” For the uninitiated, “marbling” is intermuscular fat – the speckles of fat that sit inside the muscles. Boyd is emphatic

“

Once they see how it can help them with their roles, it’s not a difficult sell at all.

when discussing the virtues of value-add product. He is a Board member of Headwaters, established in 2006 to breed ewes with high levels of fat in New Zealand’s high

Lone Star Farms started by collecting their own data and

country. Headwaters’ own Omega lamb project complements

storing it in their own database. They also developed

the high marble grass-fed beef on Lone Star Farms.

their own farm management software projects internally,

“We have both Wagyu Cross and straight Angus – we just

trying to find the right solution for their unique operation.

believe with its high marbling it’s a quality product and it will

Boyd says having the data is one thing – but being

command a high premium at the end of the day,” Boyd says.

able to use it effectively is what really counts.

| Lone Star Farms General Manager, Boyd MacDonald says staff have been adapting to farm management software as it grows and evolves.

10 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

“We had been looking around for a good while, trying a few products. FarmIQ came along and we have been using that, widespread across the business,” Boyd says. “Our staff find it quite easy to put data into and collecting that data and using it helps us make better decisions – more timely decisions.” Boyd says the Lone Star Farms team have been using FarmIQ for the past few years and their farm management software has grown as FarmIQ has. “It’s been developing and will continue to develop for years to come,” he says. “Some of our managers are trialling the Health and Safety part of FarmIQ and it has also given us some pretty reasonable production data.”

Lone Star Farms Farms: 7 Farm type: Sheep and Beef South Island: 6 North Island: 1 Total hectares: 14,700ha effective Total stock units (on average): 100,000

The production data helps to drive the value and volume focus of the business. Boyd believes the “pretty useful information” helps Lone Star Farms make timely decisions, leading to more accurate predictions than what was possible without the data. “It certainly helps us identify our high performing paddocks. People ask why that paddock performs better than others and we can drill down into it and hopefully find some answers,” he says. “A lot of the software is a tool at the end of the day. It’s not the complete answer but it’s a part of what you do and helps with those decisions. You can make decisions based on some facts, instead of what you think is happening out there.” The ability to identify not just high production paddocks but the stock that had grazed on them had an unintended benefit. When Boyd discusses the ability to make decisions based

on facts, he turns to his experience with Mycoplasma bovis. Lone Star Farms has been caught up in the outbreak, with two infected properties confirmed by the Ministry for Primary Industries. Farm management software helped provide unique traceability when it came to stock movements, which meant lower cull numbers. “With Mycoplasma bovis, being able to prove where our stock had been on-farm and what stock had been in the vicinity of infected stock was pretty huge,” Boyd explains. “It saved us from having to slaughter over 3,000 head of cattle. What it allowed us to do was narrow the restricted areas down on those two farms, as we were able to show where the stock had been in relation to one another.” With farm management software having proven its value from a traceability perspective on-farm, focus can revert back to showcasing that traceability to consumers. Boyd says quotability is a big deal to high-end markets, so the more information is available to consumers, the more likely they will be receptive to your story. “Software is going to help with that, in the same way it helped us with Mycoplasma bovis,” he says. “It’s just another attribute you can add to your product.” It’s an attribute that continues to evolve at a rapid rate, much like the desires of consumers and markets. Boyd anticipates farm management software will continue to adapt and provide solutions to reinforce its own value. “We’ve run through a few of our own products and templates. Where the farm software struggles a bit is the prediction side of it, having historical data but not being able to turn it into predicting,” Boyd says. “It’s an area where if you can pull all the data together like soil moisture and climate data, it would be good. FarmIQ are starting to do that. We need as many of the computer programs as possible to be able to talk to one another, as we only want to be entering data once.” Like other Farmlands shareholders, Lone Star Farms has the option of a free Health and Safety farm management software through FarmIQ, called SafeFarm. Boyd says Lone Star

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 11

Farms is familiar with the Health and Safety functions of farm management software and appreciates it is there as a support mechanism, running complementary to existing protocols and practices on the property. “It certainly can improve the compliance side of things,” he says. “Compliance is one part but the other, bigger part is culture. I’m not sure culture can be trained by a computer – that’s up to our managers and staff to create a safe culture. Culture is more important than compliance in my book.” As a relatively new addition to the primary sector arsenal, for many farmers and growers in New Zealand farm management software retains a fear of the unknown. The staff at Lone Star Farms have had an opportunity to grow their own digital skills as the software has evolved over time. “Everyone’s been pretty open (with accepting farm management software) and we’ve let them play with it for a while,” Boyd explains. “Once they start playing with it and they identify how it can help them, they can pick it up, run with it and drive it. Once they see how it can help them with their roles, it’s not a difficult sell at all.”

Boyd says he has noticed that his younger staff are “a lot less frightened” of the farm management software and have a tendency to adapt “a bit quicker than some of us older fullas”. His advice for those new to digital farm management is to just “give it a go”. “The farmers out there that are inquisitive enough will already be having a look and the ones that aren’t, won’t,” Boyd says. “Choose one of the smaller parts, have a look and see if it adds value. If it is then keep going and look a little deeper. “With the demands that the consumers of our products have, we’ve got to the point where we’re going to have to manage a lot more precisely than we have in the past. Now we’re doing a lot more management of individual animals, individual paddocks and areas and individual crop management, such as fertiliser management, proof of placement and how much water or irrigation a paddock may need. “It’s only going to get more, not less. They (farm management software) are a tool but they can certainly help us big time by helping us farm a lot more precisely than we have in the past, which will have positive flowon effects for the environment.”

| Lone Star Farms have seven properties across New Zealand.

| Lone Star Farms produces Wagyu cross and Angus beef, along with Omega lambs.

12 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

6005 0991 1047 7802 AM CARD HOLDER

Works for you

EXP MAY 19

ANDY CARD HOLDER 911047780 911047780 ANDY CARD ARD HOLDER HOLDER

AM CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

6005 0991 1047 7802

SILLY COW.

IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THAN YOU’D THINK. When you’ve been a rural insurer for as long as we have, you’ve seen most things before. Which is why at FMG, we recommend Liability cover* that protects you against damage to other people’s property – like when your stock gets onto public roads and causes chaos. It’s the kind of advice that really makes a diﬀerence in the country. If you’d like to know more about it, go to fmg.co.nz. Or better still, call us directly on 0800 366 466. *See fmg.co.nz for product terms & conditions

We’re here for the good of the country.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 13

6005 0991 1047 7802 AM CARD HOLDER

Works for you

EXP MAY 19

ANDY CARD HOLDER 911047780 911047780 ANDY CARD ARD HOLDER HOLDER

AM CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

6005 0991 1047 7802 600

A GREAT FINANCE OFFER , JUST QUIETLY. 3.9% BUY ANY NEW HILUX AND GET

P.A.

FINANCE ACROSS THE HILUX RANGE*

For exclusive shareholder pricing visit www.farmlands.co.nz/toyota or contact your local Toyota store.

A ssor Acce orised or ised sed Hil Hilux ux SR5 SR5 5 Cruiser ruis iser shown shown n. *Toyot *Toyot yotaa Financ yot nanciial ial Serv e ices nor normal mal lend en ing crit i eria app p ly. Finaance ce Offe Offerr ends end ds 31 Decemb Decemb mber er 2018. 2018 8. F full For fu ull ter te m mss and and condi condi ditio tionss visit tion visit our our webs eb ite, www www.toy .toyota. .toy ota.co.n ota. c z co.n

14 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

SafeFarm set to improve Health and Safety on-farm Farmlands recently welcomed Katrina Berry as the new General Manager – Safety and Wellbeing. Katrina brings a wealth of experience to Farmlands, having been part of the New Zealand Health and Safety industry for more than 13 years. She has worked in both public and private sector organisations throughout the country.

to keep themselves, their families

operations. It is easy to use and has

and visitors to farms safe. Since

a solid mobile platform. Farmers

joining Farmlands, Katrina has been

and their staff can record Health and

a key part of the SafeFarm project

Safety information like near misses and

team, enhancing the FarmIQ Health

hazards/risks easily and on the go.

and Safety content for release to Farmlands shareholders. A focus for the development work has been to provide a package that does not just meet minimum Health and Safety

The daughter of three-time Golden Shears Champion, Colin King, Katrina was raised on a 161-hectare sheep and beef farm in Otorohanga. She and her family are still involved in the New Zealand agricultural sector today. Katrina is passionate about rural communities and she says that what gets her out of bed every day is the work that Farmlands is doing to provide support for shareholders

compliance requirements but that can support good and even best practice. Key enhancements in the SafeFarm package include contractor

“

SafeFarm provides an easy to understand Health and Safety system to support all types of farming operations.

management, emergency preparedness and the assessment of risk when identifying hazards. SafeFarm provides an easy to understand Health and Safety system

“Some farmers don’t understand their

to support all types of farming

responsibilities to contractors,” Katrina says. “Even if they are a one-man band they more than likely have contractors come onto their farm. SafeFarm provides an easy to follow process to ensure the transfer of safety related information prior to work starting.” Farmlands has partnered with OnFarmSafety New Zealand to support SafeFarm users who might need some extra help with managing Health and Safety on-farm. They can assist with all SafeFarm content including hazard and risk identification, contractor management and any other aspects of Health and Safety. If you need some extra help with Health and Safety on your property, visit the Farmlands website, or talk to your Farmlands Technical Field Officer to get in touch with OnFarmSafety New Zealand.

| Technical Field Officer, Jo Davies and General Manager – Safety and Wellbeing, Katrina Berry.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 15

CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

High-tech tool designed to benefit shareholders Farmlands shareholders will soon have access to innovative technology that will allow them to better record information and give greater precision to their operations.

Farmlands gain a deeper understanding of our shareholders’ businesses.

Good weather and a little bit of

“People often underestimate the variability within a few weeks of crop growth. Recently I was able to use my tablet to capture photographs of a range of weeds in a wheat crop and instantaneously send the images to our Agronomy team for an extra opinion on spray options. This meant together we could examine the crop in real-time.”

business but data is becoming one of the most important crops an agribusiness can reap. Farmlands is playing its part in fuelling the revolution of on-farm data by working with Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) – a customer relationship management application that delivers shareholder and industry information in real-time to any laptop, tablet or smartphone. More than 140 Farmlanders across the country will be equipped with shock-resistant, state of the art tablets installed with D365 in the coming weeks. Technical Field Officers, Technical Advisors and Sales Managers will use observations from the devices to provide improved forecasting and greater seasonal, crop and stock insights to shareholders through data analytics. The online dashboard will give Farmlands shareholders the information they need to make faster and smarter decisions. Leeston-based Farmlands Technical Field Officer, Ellen Condon is trialling the ultra-fast device and has seen firsthand how the D365 system can record temperature, stock levels, amount of stock sold, weight of grain and wool produced – all numbers which can help

16 | THE FARMLANDER

Ellen says she is only in her second season on the job, so being able to record data on-thego and have historical information “in-hand” is invaluable.

| Technical Field Officer Ellen Condon with shareholder Ian Lowery.

the technology – and because our farmers are amongst the best in the world when it comes to the adoption of technologies that enhance animal health, environmental sustainability and efficient farm management.”

“It streamlines day-to-day decisionmaking, meaning Farmlands shareholders can focus on the activities that drive their profitability.”

Matt says that recent changes in technology offer an exciting outlook for the local primary sector, so long as rural co-operatives, like Farmlands, continue to evolve.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is designed to manage and maintain customer relationships, track engagements and sales and deliver actionable data – all in one place.

“New Zealand has always been a great place to farm but we can only stay ahead of the game by ensuring our farmers have the latest tech solutions to help them be more productive.”

Looking ahead, the integration of new technologies with other gadgets offers exciting possibilities for Farmlands shareholders.

He says Farmlands is in the process of combining relevant parts of its technology offerings to provide its rural shareholders with a range of easy-to-use and cost-effective online tools that offer better insights into their operations.

Farmlands Acting Director of Technology, Matt McGrath says that by working with Microsoft, Farmlands is able to offer shareholders the latest technology while also looking for ways to innovate further in the future. “We know that the tablet will be popular because of the positive feedback we’ve already had from those trialling

“These days farming is truly a technology business,” Matt says. The D365-installed tablets will be used by Farmlands Technical Field Officers, Technical Advisors and Sales Managers from October this year.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FAR 08206

luck may be crucial in the farming

“It really personalises it and enables us to make improved onfarm decisions,” she says.

NOTICE OF

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the fifty-fifth Annual General Meeting of shareholders of Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited will be held at 11.30am on Friday 23rd November 2018 at Farmlands Hokitika. Shareholders are invited to join the Directors and Executive of the Society for refreshments at the conclusion of the meeting. Shareholders who attend will be entered into a prize draw for a Farmlands Cup experience. Farmlands Cup experience includes: • Flights to Christchurch (if required) • 1 night’s accommodation • 4 Farmlands Cup tickets • Pre-match hospitality and dinner

FAR_08206

RSVP at www.farmlands.co.nz/agm by Friday 16th November.

0800 200 600 www.farmlands.co.nz WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 17

Meridian Energy, saving summer Make sure you’re with Meridian before summer gets here so you can lock in our seasonal rates*. Saving is easy when you’re with the electricity provider who’s partnered with your co-operative since 2003.

Simply call our dedicated agribusiness team on 0800 496 444 or visit meridian.co.nz/agri to find out more

Proud to be a partner of

*Terms and conditions apply, visit meridian.co.nz/tandc

18 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

Personal answers to the Health and Safety question Farmlands has access to a range of services to help shareholders with their Health and Safety compliance. The Farmlander talks to OnFarmSafety New Zealand Managing Director, Bronwyn Muir about how their in-person service can complement Farmlands’ farm management software offer. As the primary sector changes in sync with the developments that improve production and practice, the personal touch remains. Inperson technical expertise is still the preferred option for most – and Health and Safety is no different. Bronwyn Muir is in the unique position of not only instilling a Health and Safety focus on her farm, she helps others do the same. A dairy farmer by trade, Bronwyn’s teaching experience came in hot demand as compliance and regulations changed. “In 2013, we were approached by a number of farmers within my network, based on my prior industry involvement,” she says. “I was training ag students at Taratahi and also helping farmers during my time as President of Taranaki Federated Farmers. “There was quite a bit happening in the Health and Safety area and there was pressure through industry campaigns – getting helmets on farmers’ heads for quad bike use.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

There was a strong focus on the industry getting Health and Safety on-farm a lot better than what it was. “We were being approached by farmers saying ‘can you help us, can you come on-farm and talk to my partner, or my team, or my boss, or my sharemilker.’ That’s where it all started.” The result was OnFarmSafety New Zealand, a business dedicated to providing on-site consultation services to improve compliance and identify risks. Bronwyn says having been involved in delivering Health and Safety training in the classroom, she noticed a lot of the lessons were being left behind. “The training wasn’t getting implemented in the way we had advised. Attendees at the sessions were trying to communicate what they had learned but it wasn’t getting through. Our focus has always been about getting it back on-farm,” she says. “There is now a lot of education about Health and Safety legislation and how it should be applied. There is still a need to help explain and work through the complexity of working with other businesses such as contractors, leased land, sharemilkers or contract milkers on your property. “There is education as the law evolves and the industry matures around Health

and Safety – and the bar is raised. People need to be reviewing Health and Safety systems, regardless of the stage they are at. We provide a governance reporting format back to the wider stakeholders and if needed, or as needed, being able to get in support to help with the action required.” OnFarmSafety New Zealand has a team of consultants throughout New Zealand and originally started working with dairy farms, with Bronwyn explaining it is “a visual industry – under the spotlight”. They now cover all industries and recently authored the Health and Safety systems for Apiculture New Zealand. Bronwyn says OnFarmSafety New Zealand was approached by Farmlands to support SafeFarm, the FarmIQ Health and Safety offer for Farmlands shareholders, to complement digital compliance with in-person advice. “Part of our relationship with shareholders will be getting to know a bit about their operation, where there might be roadblocks and helping them get compliant with reasonable and practical working systems,” Bronwyn says. “We can provide ongoing support if and when required.” OnFarmSafety New Zealand is a Farmlands Card Partner and can work with shareholders looking for in-person advice to complement the free SafeFarm offer.

THE FARMLANDER | 19

14th – 16th November 2018 Make Farmlands your first stop! Our shareholder hospitality area is back by popular demand! FREE lunch daily from 11.00am to 2.00pm. Snacks available throughout the day.

FARMLANDS CUP

IS YOUR CUP

Farmlands

Mad about rugby? The Crusaders Caravan will will be on-site with the Farmlands Cup and Investec Super Rugby Trophy. Get your photos with the cups!

2019

BNZ CRUSADERS VS PULSE ENERGY HIGHLANDERS

We also have exclusive deals on Farmlands Cup tickets!

FRIDAY 8TH FEBRUARY, SOUTHBRIDGE

Find us here

See us for • • • •

Show specials Expert advice Fun for the whole family SPOT PRIZES

acfarlane Avenue

DOG

TRIALS

MacKenzie Drive v

Beat the queues and get your tickets in-store*

PICNIC AREA

Ticket

Gate Price

Shareholder Price

Adult

$28

$20

Family (2 adults, 3 children)

$62

$45

Child (5-12 years old)

$10

Senior/Student

$18

$10

Reid Avenue

Purchase your tickets early at selected stores or at the gate with your Farmlands Card.*

FAR_08089

*Terms and Conditions apply.

20 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

A progressive partnership ASB’s GM of Rural Business Banking, Richard Hegan discusses the new partnership between ASB and Farmlands.

part. You’ll understand now what

as a business and co-operative and

I mean and I hope too it will help

understand the diverse requirements

you appreciate why our ASB team

of its shareholders. We’re confident

is genuinely excited to have started

our common commitment to help the

There’s a saying, “life is about the journey and not the destination”. I think that is only partly true.

a new chapter in our history by

rural sector get ahead, by ensuring

choosing to partner with Farmlands.

good sustainable business practices,

Yes, life is about the journey but it’s also definitely about where the journey takes you, both on a personal level and from a professional perspective. After all, I’m not sure there is a point in toiling away, giving something your all day-in and day-out, if ultimately you don’t realise your dream. And I’m not alone in my view – our team at ASB spend each day working with like-minded progressive and aspirational people, focused on delivering the best outcomes for them and having an equally positive impact on all of those we engage with. Why? Because we, like you, learn and grow by meeting driven and inspiring people – we help them progress and the spin-off is that we progress too. It’s hugely motivating – that’s the journey part. Witnessing our customers succeed and achieve their financial goals – that’s the destination

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

can create opportunities to evolve and

“

Our team has taken the time to make sure we fully understand Farmlands as a business and co-operative and understand the diverse requirements of its shareholders.

grow. These opportunities can help us all make smarter decisions and build financial adaptability and confidence to help weather the ups-and-downs involved in rural business life. Being a good farmer means being a good business person and we’re here to help not only Farmlands’ shareholders but the co-operative as well to be the best – both in terms of reputation and customer experience. The journey we’ll be traveling together will involve establishing valuable connections, along with developing tailor-made banking packages that could help you save

To partner with this co-operative,

time, money and provide additional

one of the country’s most trusted

farming and business insights.

and influential rural brands, is an

Achieving better financial and farming

amazing opportunity for ASB.

outcomes for our rural sector,

Our team has taken the time to make

the lifeblood of the New Zealand

sure we fully understand Farmlands

economy – that’s the destination.

THE FARMLANDER | 21

Your

FAR_08203

NEW OUR STRATEGIC BANKING PARTNER

22 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

B WE'VE CHOSEN AS YOU TO HELP SUPPORT helping Farmlands ASB is committed to . and our shareholders rning about your Having spent time lea d out, ASB is co-operative inside an ducing their range looking forward to intro areholders. of tailored offers for sh ay banking, rural The offers cover ever yd siness lending solutions, through to bu and plenty in-between. ership, you will Through this new partn B’s considerable be able to tap into AS ake use of their economic expertise, m

and get innovative financial tools red for you. financial solutions tailo e excited about Farmlands and ASB ar e benefit of working together for th s nationwide. Farmlands shareholder are or what you’re No matter where you B are keen to doing, the team at AS nking requirements. discuss your unique ba r new strategic To learn more about ou and how ASB can banking partnership – help you – visit z/asb www.farmlands.co.n

YOUR BANKING ASB can look at your nking current and future ba d fin needs and help you of st ways to make the mo their tailored of fers.

YOUR BUSINESS and ASB wants to underst and your financial needs y ma t tha fer tailor an of ney mo e, tim ve help you sa o int ts igh ins and provide your business.

YOUR COMMUNIT Y ASB and Farmlands share similar values in ng suppor ting and helpi s. itie un our local comm

YOUR DECISIONS ASB has a range of rtners financial tools and pa that can help provide sist valuable insights to as aking with your decision-m ment. and financial manage

www.farmlands.co.nz/asb WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 23

Works for you NUTRITION

6005 0991 1047 7802 AM CARD HOLDER ANDY CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

911047780 911047780 ANDY CARD ARD HOLDER HOLDER

AM CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

6005 0991 1047 7802 600

SEEDING MUSTERING FIREFIGHTING WE’RE BUILT FOR FARMING SERVICING HARVESTING SOWING WE’RE BUILT FOR NEW ZEALAND REFUELLING YEAR FEEDING DRENCHING FENCING $10,735 SPRAYING TOWING TRANSPORTING IRRIGATING REPAIRING OUTLANDER 450 PRO

TRI-MODE DYNAMIC POWER STEERING (DPS)

CLASS LEADING CARGO CAPACITY 163kg

EXCLUSIVE LIMITING SPEED KEY

CLASS LEADING HORSEPOWER 38HP

WARRANTY*

EXCLUSIVE FARMLANDS SHAREHOLDER OFFER

RETAIL PROMOTION - EX.GST SAVE $564 INCLUDES

CLASS LEADING FUEL CAPACITY 20.5L

CLASS LEADING 6 PLY TYRES

CLASS LEADING GROUND CLEARANCE 292mm

* Terms and conditions apply.

OFFER ENDS 31ST OCTOBER OR WHILE STOCKS LAST!

CALL 0800 444 475 OR VISIT WWW.NZ.BRP.COM/OFF-ROAD/ FOR MORE INFORMATION © 2018 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its afﬁliates. Always ride responsibly and safely. Always wear protective gear & approved helmet. BRP reserves the right to change the promotion at any time.*Terms and conditions apply.

24 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Articles in the Plan 365 section allow Farmlands suppliers to share best practice and the latest advances in rural technology, NUTRITION to help shareholders with their farming needs all year round.

Feeding for optimum performance The significant nutritional requirements of a hardworking horse mean that designing a balanced diet that provides these in the correct amounts is vital. From the all-important energy required to perform, to essential amino acids, trace minerals and key vitamins, simple changes to the diet can mean the difference between a winning and a mediocre performance. Energy for performance and weight maintenance during increasing work is arguably one of the most important factors of the diet – and the energy sources selected can influence exercise type and recovery. Most working horse diets will require a blend of structural and non-structural carbohydrates for energy, as well as some amount of fat. However, the levels of each of these provided should depend on the work type being asked of the horse. While structural carbohydrates such as forages should be the largest part of all equine diets, horses performing

fast-paced work (for example racing,

Each trace mineral and vitamin

polo, eventing and show jumping) will

plays a different role in the horse’s

most likely require some amount of

body and contributes to overall

grain in their diet. The starch grain

health and performance in various

contains is released rapidly into the

ways. Achieving optimum health by

bloodstream as glucose and fuels

meeting all nutrient requirements

anaerobic work and fast paced muscle

improves overall vitality, therefore

contractions. Horses performing

increasing the chance of improved

slower-paced work that is aerobic in

performance, while also reducing time

nature (for example endurance and

needed for recovery. Key nutrients

dressage) require higher levels of

for performance horses include

structural carbohydrates such as forage

chromium, antioxidants selenium

and slow release forms of energy such

and vitamin E, as well as electrolytes

as fat and less energy from grains.

sodium, chloride and potassium.

While protein is not as crucial to the

Hardworking horses are often

mature performance horse as it is

candidates for digestive problems

for breeding and growth, providing

such as gastric ulcers and hindgut

the correct level and ratio of amino

acidosis, which can occur for various

acids is highly important for muscle

reasons (including management

development and maintenance.

practices and stress) and can cause

A performance horse receiving a

significant discomfort and therefore

diet that is deficient in protein or

impact on performance. There are

uses poor quality sources will over

a number of essential management

time begin to show signs of muscle wastage and lack of top-line.

practices to avoid these conditions and ensure the equine athlete is able to perform to the best of their ability. This includes ensuring at least 1.5 percent of the horse’s body weight in high quality forage is consumed daily at a consistent rate, keeping grain meals to less than 2.5kg and only feeding digestible energy sources such as steam flaked grains and high quality fat sources. For assistance with feeding plans to enhance overall health and performance, consult with an experienced equine nutrition advisor. Article supplied by Luisa Wood, Equine Nutrition Technical Advisor.

| Simple changes to the diet can mean the difference between a winning and a mediocre performance.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 25

FARMLANDS CUP NUTRITION N NU NUT UT TR TRITION RIT ITIO ION

Farm

BNZ CRUSADERS VS PULSE ENERGY HIGHLANDERS SOUTHBRIDGE RUGBY CLUB, SOUTHBRIDGE

FAR_08042

8TH FEBRUARY 2019 *Terms and Conditions apply. Offer available to Farmlands shareholders only. In-store purchases must be made through the participating Canterbury Farmlands stores: Amberley, Ashburton, Culverden, Christchurch, Darfield, Rangiora and Leeston (Participating Stores). Subscription sign-up must be completed through a Canterbury-based Farmlands representative or Participating Store. Offer runs from 1st October 2018 until 31st October 2018, subject to availability of double passes. Limited number of double passes allocated to each Participating Store. See eligible subscriptions and full Terms and Conditions at www.farmlands.co.nz.

26 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

IS YOUR CUP

NUTRITION NU N NUTR UT TR RIIT TIO ION

mlands

2019

GET A FREE DOUBLE PASS THIS OCTOBER* Simply spend $2,000 in participating Canterbury stores OR sign up to two of our subscription services at www.farmlands.co.nz/cup

SHAREHOLDER EXCLUSIVE PRE SALE STARTS 1ST NOVEMBER 2018 WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 27

Works for you NUTRITION

6005 0991 1047 7802 AM CARD HOLDER ANDY CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

911047780 911047780 ANDY CARD ARD HOLDER HOLDER

AM CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

6005 0991 1047 7802 600

FARM BUILDINGS THAT SUIT YOUR NEEDS

Whether it’s a kitset or a custom build, our farm buildings are constructed with quality materials that last. • Four standard kitset designs (2 Bays, 3 Bays, 4 Bays & 5 Bays)

• All ﬂashings supplied

• Kitset with plans & material quantities ready to be ordered

• Special price for Farmlands shareholders

• Custom options for your farm building available upon request

• Zincalume Roof and cladding as standard (The roof

• Made from H3.2 Gauged Timber, H5 Treated SED Poles

and walls are 0.40mm Zincalume Custom Orb with

• Timber from sustainable forests

the option to upgrade to 0.40mm Custom Orb

• Suitable for high wind zone areas

Colorsteel Endura)

To ﬁnd out your shareholder price or to learn more talk to your Bunnings Trade Team, Trade Account Managers or email sales@bunnings.co.nz All the standard sheds are designed to `High wind zone’. Delivery is included for addresses within a 50km radius of the store. Anything outside of this range may incur an additional charge. The pole embedment is up to 1.2m only. No ﬂashings included. Screws supplied for roof and cladding (not nails). Materials must be checked for damage and quantity within 3 days of delivery, suppliers are not liable after this time. All materials to be delivered within 2 weeks of order (where possible).

28 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

NUTRITION

Balancing the major mineral needs of cows Once the threat of metabolic issues around calving has passed, it can be easy to overlook the need for supplementing major mineral levels in the milking cow’s diet. Not balancing the mineral content of diets can be a false economy, which jeopardises both the health and productivity of stock.

out some of the potential deficiencies

Whilst cows are good at mobilising

of a pasture based diet, which may be

body calcium in the short-term, if

exacerbated by the mineral content of

supplementary feeding is continued

some straights and conserved forages.

throughout lactation it may get harder

The mineral requirements of lactating

for higher producing, older cows to

dairy cows have been defined per kg

replenish their bone calcium levels.

of the dry matter intake by the National

Many pastures contain insufficient

Research Council (NRC). The mineral

magnesium to meet the needs of

content of pasture is not ideal relative

milking cows and high potassium,

The use of straights (commodity

to the nutritional requirement of dairy

high protein and low sodium levels can

purchased feeds) and simple un-

cattle, who are committed to depositing

reduce the magnesium availability. For

mineralised blends of straights changes

minerals in their milk daily with the

the mineral supply in the diet relative

intention that it will help safeguard the

to a pasture-only diet and may make

health and vitality of their offspring.

a significant difference to the total

Straights tend to be a poor source

dressing magnesium oxide can be

mineral supply to a herd and the farm

of calcium relative to the needs of

particularly inefficient when it is needed

as a whole. Palm kernel expeller (PKE)

milking cows, as indicated in the table.

the most. Delivering magnesium in a

usage increased in 2017, at a time

Grains are an especially poor source

when compound feeds and blends also

of calcium, so grain-based compound

became more widely used – possibly

feeds like NRM Dairy Extra are fortified

as a way to dilute the contribution of

with added calcium. Farmers feeding

PKE, as Fonterra suppliers prepared for

rolled barley or wheat, kibbled maize,

the introduction of Fat Evaluation Index

distillers dark grains or PKE run the risk

It is generally considered that high

penalties this season. The growing

that their cows will have to mobilise

protein, vegetative pasture should

shift from single straights to blends

more bone calcium than would be

have more than enough phosphorus

increases the opportunity to balance

necessary on a pasture-only diet.

for dairy cows. If milk urea levels

most herds, supplementary magnesium is required through to Christmas and beyond for higher yielding herds. Top-

blend or compound feed with some readily degradable carbohydrate improves absorption and helps mask the bitterness of magnesium oxide.

fall through November it may be worth checking pasture protein and

Mineral content of feeds relative to the needs of milking cows Calcium

Magnesium

Phosphorus

Sodium

NRC requirement for dairy cows (g/kgDM)

6-8

1.1-2.9

3.5-4.5

2-3.4

Approximate content per litre milk (g/litre)

1.6

0.8

Barley (g/kgDM)

0.9

1.2

0.6

Distillers dark grains (maize) (g/kgDM)

1.6

3.3

8.3

1.5

phosphorus levels, as sub-optimal results may indicate declining pasture quality. A straight like distillers dark grains may improve a diet by adding both protein and phosphorus.

Maize grain (g/kgDM)

0.1

Adding salt to blends is a great

Maize silage (g/kgDM)

1.8

1.2

1.4

way to supplement sodium levels

NRM Dairy Extra (g/kg)

3.4

and also stimulate palatability, as

Palm kernel expeller (g/kgDM)

2.3

4.9

0.1

salt is a good appetite stimulant.

Soy hull pellets (g/kgDM)

4.9

2.2

1.4

0.1

For further information, contact

Spring pasture (g/kgDM)

2-15

1-4

2-6

0.3-6

your local Nutrition Specialist.

Wheat (g/kgDM)

0.5

1.3

4.8

0.2

Article supplied by Dr Rob Derrick, Nutritionist.

Typical values taken from a variety of sources as a guide only – actual levels may vary quite considerably.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 29

Works for you NUTRITION

6005 0991 1047 7802 AM CARD HOLDER ANDY CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

911047780 911047780 ANDY CARD ARD HOLDER HOLDER

AM CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

6005 0991 1047 7802 600

HOOK A REEL TYRE DEAL

PLUS EXCLUSIVE FARMLANDS PRICING ON AGRICULTUR AL TYRES.†

Free rod and reel set when you buy 2 or more selected Bridgestone or Firestone radial tractor tyres.*

Buy 2 tyres and get a Shimano Baitrunner 4000 OC Combo rod and reel. Valued at $249.99.*

0800 80 20 80

Buy 4 tyres and get a Shimano Baitrunner 12000 D Combo rod and reel. Valued at $349.99.*

bridgestone.co.nz/farmlands

*Visit your nearest store www.bridgestonetyres.co.nz/stores or www.bridgestonetyres.co.nz/reeldeal for more information. Products include Performer 70, Performer 85, MaxiTraction, and VT Tractor. Promotion available from September 1st to October 31st 2018. 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.

30 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

NUTRITION

Troubleshooting egg shell quality issues in your flock A bright yellow yolk from a freshly laid egg is a key benefit of home produced eggs. However, packaging is important for the perception of quality and egg shell quality is one issue that sometimes crops up with laying flocks – especially in the spring as birds come back into lay. When a flock has an increased incidence of egg shell quality issues, the following checks may assist with troubleshooting. Feed intake and quality A good quality layer feed that contains balanced levels of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D should always be available for birds. A laying chicken should eat approximately 130 grams of layer feed each day – if the amount of layer feed eaten drops, this can have an impact on egg shell quality. Housing until after they have eaten a hearty breakfast can sometimes stop them filling up on less well-balanced herbage. If birds have a lot of alternate feeds on offer as well as their layer feed (e.g. whole grains or table

scraps), this could also be decreasing their layer feed intake. Oyster grit can aid gizzard function and help to balance low calcium feeds birds may consume when foraging – but it must be offered separately to the layer feed, not sprinkled on top. Access to good quality water is also important, as reduced water intake results in reduced feed intake. High temperatures can reduce feed intake too, so over summer make sure chickens have access to cool water and shade. Disease in the flock Some diseases can affect egg shell formation and cause eggs to be laid with thin shells, misfired shells or with no shell at all. Two common diseases which can result in poor shell quality are infectious bronchitis and egg drop syndrome. Regular cleaning of coops with a disinfectant product such as Virkon®S, as well as preventing contact with other birds will help with minimising disease burden in your flock. Check with your local veterinarian for vaccination options. Egg size/age of chickens Hens will deposit the same amount of shell for a small egg as a large egg. This means that there is less shell to go around a larger egg and thin shells can result. Older birds will naturally lay larger eggs that have thinner shells, so aging chickens may be the culprit. Rearing of chicks How a chick has been reared can impact on how they will perform as a layer. If a chick is not supplied a diet with balanced levels of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D, it can have

an impact on bone development and when they eventually get to point of lay they will be more predisposed to laying thin-shelled eggs. It is therefore important to use a wellbalanced chick starter feed followed by a balanced pullet grower feed. Feeding over a moult period Laying chickens will typically go through a moult with the approach of winter and decreasing day length. During this period, egg production will decrease and may even stop. Believe it or not, what you feed a chicken over the moulting period can impact on egg shell quality in the next laying season and if a diet is too high or too low in calcium it can be an issue. The recommended feed for chickens going through a moult is a pullet grower feed, as it contains the right amount of both calcium and phosphorus. As soon as the moult period is over and chickens begin to lay again, they can be switched back over to a laying feed. Nesting box and bird management The design of nest boxes as well as the quality and depth of nesting material plays an important role in preventing damage to egg shells. Nests require 5cm or more of bedding material to provide a soft landing for the eggs. Stress Any factor that causes stress to the birds can result in poor shell quality. Make sure wild animals are not able to disturb the birds and that a good routine is established and maintained. For further information, contact your local Nutrition Specialist. Article supplied by Stacey Cosnett, Nutritionist.

| Home-produced eggs – fresh, nutritious, zero food miles and bio-degradable packaging.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 31

FORAGE FORA FO RAGE RA GE A AND ND ARABLE ARAB AR ABLE LE

Support your local Sheep Dog Trial Club

For every bag of TUX 25kg Energy or ProPlan Optipower 20kg purchased from Farmlands during October 2018 towards supporting NZ Sheep Dog Trial Clubs across New Zealand

All proceeds will be paid directly to the NZ Sheep Dog Trial Association who will distribute all funds across the regional Sheep Dog Trial Centres nationwide 32 | THE 32 TH HE F FARMLANDER A ML AR MLAN LAN ANDE DER DE R

Farmlands Farm a land a s Co C Co-operative -ope perati a ive S Society oci ty ocie y Li L Limited imit ite ed d|Â©O October ctober 2 ctob 2018 2018. 018. 18 All All rig right rights i hts hts rese rreserved. eserved rved. d

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ WW WWW .FARML .FA FARML RMLAND AND NDS DS.C S CO.N S.CO O NZ O.NZ

FORAGE AND ARABLE

The lasting value of a clean start It is often said that there is little difference between the cost of growing a low yielding crop and a high yielding one. However, the high yielding crop will always win when it comes to profitability – because every kilogram of dry matter (DM) that it delivers will dilute your overall costs of production as measured in cents/kgDM. Fortunately, you can start optimising the yield of your spring-sown forage crops for a more profitable result straight away, before they are even planted. The key lies in choosing the correct inputs to ensure newly emerged crop seedlings get off to great start, with minimal competition for vital resources like sunlight, moisture and nutrients. So where should you begin? It is a good idea to start with a pre-plant herbicide to clean up cropping paddocks in spring, because this saves time and helps reduces weed competition from day one. Most weeds can easily outgrow crop seedlings and this can have a lasting and negative effect on final crop yield. A proven first step is WeedMaster TS540 glyphosate herbicide, plus Pulse Penetrant, applied to paddocks prior to sowing forage crops. This pre-plant spray out provides several benefits. It stops existing perennial weeds from outgrowing crop seedlings during the critical establishment phase and it also speeds the breakdown of the turf and roots of old, existing pasture. This in turn makes for easier tillage, saving time and fuel and helps

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

| Optimise the yield of your spring-sown forage crops before they are even planted.

provide a better seedbed. It also reduces the fallow time required before sowing your new crop.

alone is not always adequate – particularly creeping mallow, seedling storksbill and nettles.

Different weeds require different rates of WeedMaster TS540, so it is a good idea to check which species are present (e.g. browntop, couch, perennial ryegrass etc.) before spraying.

Nail EC is one of the few companion herbicides for glyphosate with a nil plantback for all crops, including fodder beet, chicory and plantain. Nail EC has rapid foliar uptake, so it is rainfast in 1 hour and it has livestock grazing withholding period.

Pulse Penetrant is always essential. This high quality organosilicone is designed to help the herbicide penetrate the outer waxy cuticle that protects plant tissue and it reduces the rainfast period after spraying to 20 minutes. Where required, Nail EC as a tank mix partner for this preplant herbicide application both broadens the spectrum of weed control and speeds up brownout. It contains the active ingredient carfentrazone-ethyl, which boosts control of several broadleaf weed species for which glyphosate

The tank mix of WeedMaster TS540, Nail EC and Pulse Penetrant will control a wide range of weeds – including annual poa, burr medic, chickweed, cleavers, creeping buttercup and mallow, fathen, fumitory, hawksbeard, nettles, prairie grass, oxtongue, speedwell, wireweed and shepherd’s purse. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Nufarm.

THE FARMLANDER | 33

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Cost effective, clover friendly dock control

Dockstar is a selective systemic herbicide for the control of docks and bracken. Dockstar contains 390g/L asulam as a soluble concentrate. Key features: •

Controls established docks

•

Easy to use liquid formulation

•

Selective to clover, ryegrass and tall fescue

•

Apply in tank mixture with Baton® 800WSG to control docks & other broadleaf weeds.

TM Dockstar is a registered trademark of Nufarm Ltd. ® Baton is a registered trademark of Nufarm Australia Ltd.

Exclusively at

www.nufarm.co.nz 34 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FORAGE AND ARABLE

New kale genetics deliver Farm Equity Manager, Ben Crickett runs a 480 cow self-contained dairy farm at Otautau with an intensive crop rotation consisting of fodder beet, swedes and then kale. The role of kale as the second or third crop in a winter feed rotation is one of the species’ key strengths for farms with limited area and the need to multi-crop intensively. Although not perfect, the disease tolerance and resilience of kale is an important part of its functionality in these situations. This past year, Ben’s Farmlands Technical Field Officer, Mike Magennity recommended he take an early look at the next generation of kale genetics from Agricom, with the New Zealand-bred SovGold kale being available in very limited amounts during the 2017 sowing season.

| Farm Equity Manager, Ben Crickett and his Farmlands Technical Field Officer, Mike Magennity standing in Ben’s SovGold crop.

between late November and early December but in Ben’s environment

SovGold combines excellent quality with a high yield potential. In any kale, the leaf component of the plant is where the quality is at its greatest. Ben has been impressed with the big visual leaves and he has been happy with how the crop has been utilised by his stock. As SovGold’s large leaves contribute to a large proportion of total yield, it has a high leaf-to-stem ratio. SovGold is able to hold quality, resulting in high intake and utilisation. SovGold will hold its quality right through winter and like Sovereign, is a later flowering kale.

he chooses to sow late to avoid insect

Ben’s SovGold crop was sown on 22nd December 2017, at a rate of 4.5kg/ha. The crop was sown with 250kg/ha of DAP and had two urea applications of 100kg/ha each in mid-January and mid-March. Kale is traditionally sown

complicating future management.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

pressure. The only reason to sow earlier than late November is if it is being sown in very dry conditions or if lambs are being used to graze the crop in February/March. Early sowing of kale may produce higher dry matter percentages and therefore possibly higher yields by late autumn, however this is associated with an aging plant with more lignin and lower quality stems. This can make utilisation harder and often leads to more stem left in the paddock,

still having a potential yield of 8-10t DM/ha, therefore making it a great option for young cattle or sheep. Ben has definitely noticed that the leaf size is bigger than that of the Sovereign kale, which he had previously been using. Of the four paddocks on-farm, SovGold has averaged a very pleasing 14.6t DM/ha. “This past year it was very dry at establishment and while the crop germinated, it did sit there for a while until it really took off,” Ben says. “We are really very happy with the yields and would definitely use it again.” SovGold offers a real fit in a range of farming systems and is also suitable for a range of stock classes.

are that SovGold will hold its leaf for

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

longer and maintain stem quality while

Article supplied by Agricom.

As an alternative to sowing a forage rape crop, SovGold can be sown in January or early February. The benefits

THE FARMLANDER | 35

for you FORAGE ANDWorks ARABLE 6005 0991 1047 7802 AM CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

ANDY CARD HOLDER 911047780

911047780 ANDY CARD ARD HOLDER HOLDER

AM CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

6005 0991 1047 7802 600

36 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Is herbicide resistance knocking at your door? It’s not if it knocks, it’s when. Herbicide resistance has been a hot topic for years. However, we seem to have more problems with accidentally introduced weeds than issues with herbicide failure.

carry adjuvant statements because

heading, e.g. Group K3 Herbicide and

they are required for optimum result.

the simplest resistance strategy is to

In the late 1980s, continuous season-

use different groups in rotation. Just

on-season use of simazine plus

by rotating the crop there is often a

glyphosate in Nelson orchards resulted

forced rotation of herbicide choice.

in problems with tall willow herb. This

Another resistance strategy, particularly

The same is not true for places like

was not an example of resistance

for glyphosate, is mixing with spiker,

Australia and North America – well-

but the selection for a weed not

enhancer or partner herbicide. This is

known graveyards for herbicides.

controlled by the herbicide mix. The

fine if the partner product enhances

There are several reasons New

solution was to alternate to diuron/

the glyphosate performance and is

Zealand has few true herbicide

linuron based products. This type

separately active on the problem

resistance occurrences – basically

of event occurs on many farms as a

weeds present. Using the latest

our farm systems are more varied

result of overuse of effective solutions

new adjuvant is not the same as a

and we have access to a wide range

– the spectrum of weeds changes in

partner herbicide like Sharpen®. The

of chemistries. Still one cannot be

response to the herbicides used, it is

saflufenacil in Sharpen is herbicidal

complacent. The next resistance

not that the weeds become resistant.

on certain broadleaf weeds in its own

problem is only a spray away.

If you believe your situation could

right. That’s how dandelion, tall willow

Resistance is when a herbicide

signal resistance, the first action

herb and mallow are more effectively

previously controlled a weed but

is to discuss with your Farmlands

controlled than by glyphosate alone.

now is less effective or totally

Technical Field Officer and they can

useless. Herbicide performance

seek out further advice if necessary.

relies on effective active ingredients,

The testing for resistance is not

formulations and application

a quick or cheap process and is

technology (including adjuvants). Get

reserved for cases that are likely to be

one factor out of alignment and the job

resistance rather than a routine test.

is second rate. There are many more

Before it ever gets to that stage there

enquiries where the circumstances

are a wide range of activities on-

around application are the problem

farm that should be done, to prevent

rather than resistance. That’s not to

the resistance in the first place.

say resistance is not occurring but

Obviously not using herbicides is

getting the product correctly applied

the strongest measure but that is a

is fundamental. These “ducks” must

different conversation. Limit the use

all be aligned – coverage, droplet size

of herbicides to only when required

and distribution, climate, sunshine

and rotate the chemistry used. This

intensity, rate of product, size of and

means alternate modes of action, not

age of weeds, choice of adjuvant(s),

just a change of trade name – 2,4-D is

combinations of products can be

2,4-D regardless of who sells it. A name

both a positive and a negative and the

change will not suffice – in the case

list goes on. By not using esterified

of 2,4-D swap to Pulsar® (bentazone ®

canola oil (as in Hasten) with Arietta performance is notably reduced. Labels

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

In the end, whether it’s resistance or compromised performance, we all want the same result – good weed control – and that is best achieved by selecting the right product and reading and following the label. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Grant Hagerty – Technical Development Manager, BASF New Zealand.

based) or flumetsulam. Herbicide labels all carry a mode of action

THE FARMLANDER | 37

FORAGE AND ARABLE

HYWET SuperSpreader Formulated for New Zealand conditions. Special adjuvant for low volume concentrate spray Use when enhanced coverage is required and improved deposition Use with fungicides, insecticides, plant growth regulators and nutrients Free of amino alcohols & NPEs

Hywet has the advantage of being a homogeneous formulation that does not need vigorous mixing before use.

Available at your local Farmlands store. SST New Zealand | Ph +64 9259 3777 | www.sstnewzealand.co.nz 38 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Pick the right brassica herbicide Forage brassicas are particularly susceptible to weed competition during establishment. This is especially the case when sowing into scenarios with moderate to high weed seed loadings in the soil, such as previously cropped ground or run-out pastures. Cultivation can also bring dormant weed seeds to the soil surface enabling germination within the crop. Most brassica crops will benefit from a herbicide while the crop emerges and establishes. Control of weeds during brassica establishment relies on choosing a suitable approach for your scenario (pre or postemergence programme) and then selecting herbicides that best fit the weed spectrum and crop rotation. Post-emergence weed control programmes are all about spraying if and when weeds have emerged. Select a herbicide that best controls the key weeds present, with a manageable grazing withholding period and a plantback suitable for the following crop. There are several post-emergence herbicides to choose from, each with their own weed spectrum. All of these herbicides have plant-backs that need to be considered for broadleaf pasture species like clover or other crops such as beet or lucerne. Corteva Agrisciences has developed

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Korvetto™, a unique post-emergence broadleaf herbicide, for scenarios where a wide weed spectrum and short plant-back are important. The plantback for clover following application of Korvetto is just 3 months, while fodder beet, lucerne and many other crops is 6 months. An application of Korvetto to spring or early summer sown forage brassica should not pose any restrictions for typical rotations in pastoral farm systems. This is a key advantage over many existing post-emergence herbicide options, which have longer plant-backs. Korvetto controls many weeds commonly found in forage brassica. Arylex™ active and clopyralid combine to kill a broad spectrum of weeds including fathen, black nightshade, hairy nightshade, shepherds’ purse, fumitory, thistles, yarrow, dandelion, narrow leaf plantain and many more. Application timing is important as best results are achieved on weeds at the 2-4 leaf stage. Delaying application often leads to poor control of some harder-to-kill weeds, by which time they are already competing with the crop and will not be suppressed by canopy. Poor plant populations or crop establishment, e.g. due to unforeseen pest damage or adverse weather events, often leads to a poor canopy and exposes the crop to weed

| Ideal time for post-emergence herbicide application – weeds are 2-4 leaf.

pressure throughout the growing season. These scenarios require careful assessment, so talk to your Farmlands Technical Field Officer as soon as possible for advice. Walk brassica crops regularly and thoroughly to identify issues early for timely treatment. When assessing brassica crop for weeds, consider the opportunity to control pests that may be present or are building up in the crop. SpartaTM provides control of springtail, leaf miner, white butterfly caterpillar and diamondback moth while aphids can be controlled using TransformTM. For more information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Corteva Agrisciences, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont.

THE FARMLANDER | 39

for you FORAGE ANDWorks ARABLE 6005 0991 1047 7802 AM CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

ANDY CARD HOLDER 911047780

911047780 ANDY CARD ARD HOLDER HOLDER

AM CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

6005 0991 1047 7802 600

Wherever, whenever, we’re there.

FREE

CURTAIN

MAKING*

$7.99 / metre BLOCKOUT LINING *

25% OFF ROMAN BLIND MAKING*

Exclusive to Farmlands

30% OFF RUFFLETTE TRACKS AND RODS*

20% OFF HONEYCOMB BLINDS*

Save 20%

Exclusive to Farmlands

UP TO

40% OFF RUSSELLS PREMIUM BLINDS*

Save 40%

Motorisation*

Morgan Roller Sunscreen Carrington Roller Block out*

Save 20%

Save 35%

Fascias*

Venetians and Verticals*

As well as unbeatable deals for Farmlands shareholders, we have consultants nationwide. Wherever you’re based, we bring an incredible range of fabric samples to your place.

FREE in-home consultation 0800 808 300 russellscurtains.co.nz

*Refer to our website for full terms & conditions. Offers apply to purchases made on Farmlands Card.

40 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Taking a look at lucerne High in metabolisable energy and protein, lucerne can provide excellent feed from spring through to autumn. Lucerne is a legume and (just like clover) can fix nitrogen from the air to power its growth. It is usually planted for grazing or conserved feed on dryland farms but can also do very well under irrigation. Lucerne’s deep taproot makes it very good at foraging for water and it recovers quickly from dry spells by rapidly mobilising nutrient reserves from its roots. A wellmanaged stand can last up to 8 years. Spring start Lucerne is dormant over winter, so is better established in spring than autumn. It prefers a soil pH of 6.0-6.2, an Olsen P of 15 and sulphate (S) of 6-10 ppm. Test to 150mm, where roots will be searching for nutrients. Testing to this depth will also reveal whether high aluminium levels will limit root and nodule growth. When it comes to micronutrients, herbage test to find out exactly what the stand needs – don’t rely on standard lucerne mixes. Lucerne needs molybdenum to help fix nitrogen (> 0.5 ppm is the target) and may need boron if grown on pumice soils. Spring is also a good time to assess the impact of winter on existing lucerne stands. Check waterlogged spots,

| A well-managed lucerne stand can last up to 8 years.

as lucerne doesn’t like the wet and

weeds out. On the other hand,

these areas may not recover. Re-sow

over-grazing will shorten the life

them after spring weed control to stop

of the stand, so managing grazing

weeds flourishing in bare patches.

properly is very important.

Replacing K

Lincoln University Professor Derrick

If harvesting lucerne, you need to apply

Moot is an expert in this area and offers

potassium after every second cut to

valuable advice on grazing lucerne –

account for the amount removed. If

including tips on stocking rates, rotation

grazing, replacing potassium is less of

timings and set-stocking approaches

a concern unless site levels are low.

– through the Lincoln dryland pastures

Grazing guide

blog (blogs.lincoln.ac.nz/dryland).

Lucerne stands need to be kept

Note that lucerne doesn’t take up

at 15-20cm high to stop stems

sodium, so provide a salt lick for

from getting too stalky and to keep

grazing stock. Animals may also need a bit of fibre (like hay), especially if they have come off hard hill country.

Crop use

Replacement K

Grazed in-situ

0 to 30kg K/ha

Harvested for hay

15kg K/ha per tonne of DM harvested

Harvested for baleage

20kg K/ha per tonne of DM harvested

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

For more information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Ballance Agri-Nutrients.

THE FARMLANDER | 41

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Now is the critical time to protect cereal yields October is here and autumn/winter planted wheat and barley is at its most vulnerable to disease attack.

crops the awns may be visible. While

especially this year with wheat

the lower leaves and stem of a barley

attracting very high prices.

crop deliver a high percentage of

The simplest way to protect your

Why is now so important for disease control?

the final yield, in recent years this

crops is to apply Aviator Xpro at GS39

has started to change. An increased

and to follow this 21-25 days later

area sown with barley cultivars with

with either a second application of

larger flag leaves combined with

Aviator Xpro or with an application of

more frequent and more aggressive

Prosaro, plus a strobilurin fungicide.

attacks by Ramularia leaf spot,

Protecting barley

Most wheat crops will reach GS39 (flag leaf emergence) in late October, which means all leaves will have emerged. With the top two leaves of a wheat crop delivering around 70 percent of yield, it is so important to protect them against disease attack.

mean that late season fungicides for barley are now normally necessary.

Here the target is Ramularia leaf spot. This disease is the unseen

Protecting wheat

killer, growing within the barley

The threat is also increasing. Throughout New Zealand, the Bayer field team has seen an increasing incidence of aggressive and very yield damaging attacks by speckled leaf blotch, leaf rust and stripe rust occurring in late October and November.

The key diseases to prevent are

plant until a trigger (plant stress,

speckled leaf blotch and leaf rust.

sunlight etc.) causes Ramularia leaf

Both diseases can devastate yield

spot to rapidly develop necrotic

and over the past two seasons Bayer

lesions, which kill the leaf.

has recorded yield reductions of 50

Apply Aviator Xpro at GS39, a time

percent from late disease attacks â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

when there are likely to be very few

a loss from speckled leaf blotch of

Ramularia leaf spot lesions visible.

6.8 t/ha* and a loss from leaf rust

Then, if your crop is irrigated or

Turning to barley, all will have the flag leaf fully emerged and for the earliest

of 4.1 t/ha**. Yield losses of this

has good financial potential (at

kind are always devastating but

the price available for barley, this means most crops this year), apply a second application of Aviator Xpro around 14 days later. Available fungicides, including Aviator Xpro, do not kill Ramularia leaf spot but they manage the impact of the disease. With timely application, Aviator Xpro significantly slows down disease development, allowing the crop to continue to assimilate yield. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. * Bayer trial 2016/2017, Timaru. Disease speckled leaf blotch untreated yield 5.5t/ha, programme using two applications of Aviator Xpro 12.3t/ha. ** Bayer trial 2017/2018, Timaru. Disease leaf rust untreated yield 10.1t/ha, programme using two applications Aviator Xpro 14.2t/ha. Article supplied by Bayer Crop Science.

| Ramularia leaf spot.

42 | THE FARMLANDER

| Leaf rust.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FORAGE AND ARABLE

A step change in lamb finishing potential The use of red clover finishing systems has recently been gaining traction with New Zealand farmers. The increased persistency and rapid liveweight gains achievable with new cultivars has helped farming brothers Daniel and Matt Nicholson achieve far greater farm gate returns. Increasing lamb liveweight gains per head has allowed their operation to grow and finish more stock per hectare than ever before. Currently Daniel and Matt operate two farming properties in south Wairarapa. The friendly team at Farmlands Masterton recommended Relish red clover would have a fit on both. Tokaroa is a 607 hectare farm where most of the Relish is utilised and currently holds 6,500 stock units. Here, the

main focus is on the finishing of trade lambs, old ewes, replacement ewe lambs and beef cattle. Their second farm, Bush Gully Station consists of 1,417 hectares and 11,500 stock units. Bush Gully Station’s main focus is on its breeding ewe flock. Ewe lambs are transported and grown out on Relish red clover at Tokaroa where they maximise the species’ summer growth potential. From here the ewe lambs are kept on red clover until they reach an ideal weight for mating. “Relish gives us the horsepower to get these ewes producing well and back up to our target weight on time,” Daniel says. These ewe lambs, now hoggets, lamb in October onto Relish stands when it is growing near its maximum. The lambs born onto Relish stands are brought up to weight as quickly as possible before being sold. “Relish is the only perennial feed that we can guarantee liveweight gains consistently of 300g/head/day,” Daniel says.

to utilise the true potential of Relish.

Red clover is functional throughout many regions of New Zealand including the harsh environment in south Wairarapa. Red clover has an extensive root system that is able to permeate through the topsoil in addition to its taproot. This taproot allows the plant to extract valuable moisture and nutrients from further down the soil profile during the dry harsh summer months, while also having the ability to fix generous amounts of atmospheric nitrogen back in to the soil. Daniel and Matt utilise mixes of Relish with AgriTonic plantain and Tribute white clover for early lambing ewes on Tokaroa, when it is too early

leave a residual of 4-5cm post grazing.

During this early spring period, they have noticed this mix to be beneficial to the ewes, due to AgriTonic plantain elevating their calcium levels. In return, “this enables the ewes to produce more milk for lambs early, before the Relish really gets going,” Daniel says. Historically the persistence of red clover has been a deterrent to farmers, however the new genetics of Relish have solved this issue for many. Relish offers a significant advancement in red clover persistence with longevity of the crop being a key benefit. Pleasingly this benefit comes with “industry low” levels of formononetin (oestrogen). “The persistency of Relish is great, we are achieving excellent stands with 4 years of maximum production,” Daniel says. Best practice management to maximise production and persistency of red clover is to rotationally graze with pre-grazing heights of 20-25cm and The spring growth of Relish is very rapid and being well prepared to utilise this growth is key. This growth will require an increased stocking rate to maintain the quality. Coming into the autumn months as growth slows it is important to graze any residual growth prior to winter months to minimise disease presence through the cooler and wetter seasons. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Agricom.

| Relish red clover has helped Daniel Nicholson achieve far greater farm gate returns.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 43

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

44 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 45

SHEEP TAG PROMOTION

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Send to:

Charge through Farmlands:

Phone:

Fax:

Phone:

Allï¬&#x201A;ex RapID Sheep Tag

$ .20 INCL. GST â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢

SAVE $0.58

High-performance HDX technology. h l /NLY AVAILABLE IN STRIPS OF 2&)$ TAGS Automatic and manual applicators. 10 clear colours. )NCLUDES CUSTOM LASER MARKING TO YOUR SPECIkCATIONS

Order no:

Laza-Printed FlexiTags

RCHASE %VERY PU aw in the dr puts you ack your to WIN b P TO E VALUE U PURCHAS CL '34 IN IDTags

50c INCL. GST â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢

Rap to either gs Applies D &LEXITa TE N RI 0 OR ,AZA

157524

SAVE $0.12

0ROVEN YEAR PEDIGREE /NLY AVAILABLE IN STRIPS OF TAGS Automatic and manual applicators. 10 clear colours. )NCLUDES CUSTOM LASER MARKING TO YOUR SPECIkCATIONS

105219

Purchase either your RapIDTAGS OR ,AZA 0RINTED &LEXITAGS THROUGH &ARMLANDS IN 3EPTEMBER OR /CTOBER AND GO IN THE DRAW TO WIN YOUR PURCHASE PRICE BACK UP TO INCLUDING '34 /NE WINNER WILL BE DRAWN FOR THE .ORTH )SLAND AND ONE FOR THE 3OUTH )SLAND

Rapid EID Tag HDX High performance EID technology, the benchmark for drafting and automation. â&#x20AC;¢ 20 tags per strip dramatically reduces application time. â&#x20AC;¢ New stem technology, reduces application pressure, superior healing and retention.

Flexitag

Male end (maximum 4 digits) Qty required

Female end (maximum 2 rows of 8 characters Number range (ie 1-100 etc.)

Tag colour (please circle)

Number range (ie 1-100 etc.)

Flexitag colour (please circle)

White

Orange

Blue

Green

Yellow

White

Orange

Blue

Green

Red

Pink

Black

Purple

Brown

Red

Pink

Dark blue

Brown

Black

Colour (please circle)

Bottom (maximum 2 rows of 7 characters)

Top (maximum 4 digits)

FAR_08291

Qty required

Female end (maximum 2 rows of 8 characters

Yellow

Flock Tag

Qty required

Male end (maximum 4 digits)

Number range (ie 1-100 etc.)

Yellow White Orange Blue Green Red Pink Dark Blue Brown Black Purple

Brass Tag

Purple

Brass

Nickel

Name (maximum 14 characters)

Start number (alpha PREkX AVAILABLE

Qty required

Year code (ie 17)

Number range (ie 1-100 etc.)

RapIDmatic applicator

Manual applicator

Fleximatic applicator

Flexitagger

Flocktagger

One Shot Brass tagger

Qty:

46 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Ensure your calves hit their target weights Healthy, well grown calves are the key to any successful calf rearing operation. Whether you’re a dairy or drystock farm, one of the simplest and most efficient ways to ensure calves are hitting target weights is regular weighing and monitoring throughout the season. One of the simplest reasons you should be weighing your livestock is to make sure your animals are consistently gaining weight so you continue to profit. Traditionally farmers have relied on their years of experience to know when animals are gaining weight and are ready to be sold or slaughtered. Weighing backs up that experience with facts. It’s all about input verses output – the input cost of feed, staff wages, time, health treatments, pasture and equipment maintenance per day versus the weight your animals are putting on per day. In order to profit, your input costs need to be lower than your output gains. Regularly weighing your livestock can help you to: • Ensure animals are continually gaining weight. • Review the speed that animals are gaining weight each day. • Identify good performers who might require less feed. • Identify poor performers that may require medical treatment. This will help you to determine the most profitable point to sell or slaughter your livestock. Regular weighing will help you recognise when your input costs

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

| Regular weighing allows you to manage animals individually.

are in danger of becoming greater than your output gains, so you can continue to run a successful, profitable business. Tru-Test has the hardware and software solutions that make life easy for you when it comes to weighing and EID, adding value to your bottom line and ensuring you meet your compliance obligation too. Tracking growth using a Tru-Test weighing platform, weigh scales and EID stick reader used in conjunction with a software package like MiHub Livestock, Minda or FarmIQ helps farmers improve productivity and animal management within their farming operation. Regular weighing allows you to manage animals individually. Identify top performers, or those that may need extra attention to bring them up to weight and make the decision to sell animals at the optimum time, to achieve the best price. Using a Tru-Test solution also

gives total herd traceability and MiHub for Livestock Management helps record, track weight growth and manage herd genetics. MiHub is a cloud-based online software system that provides a tool to manage the data you collect. Free when you purchase a Tru-Test 5000 series indicator, MiHub turns weigh session data into an easy to understand graphical snapshot of where your animals are at and helps identify trends. MiHub Livestock is the simple way to monitor animal weight gains and track performance to target weights. Gather accurate information using your Tru-Test EID reader and weigh scales, analyse it using MiHub Livestock, keep compliant and send to NAIT, as well as use it to make timely decisions on-farm. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Tru-Test.

THE FARMLANDER | 47

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

It’s time. It’s SenseTime™ SenseTime™ is the award-winning cow monitoring system by Allflex. It provides farmers with unmatched heat detection accuracy and timely information on the reproductive, health, nutritional and wellbeing status of both individual cows and herds.

How can SenseTime™ save you money and time? • • • • • • • • •

Reduced alternative heat detection devices (tail paint, heat patches) Labour savings from reduction in manual inspection Reduced bull leasing costs (none at all if you move to full AI) Reduced culling errors Monitoring recovery and drug efficiency Reduced antibiotic use (through early detection) Reduced preventable deaths Reduced distress through early intervention Reduced calving stress

All in aide of having more cows in milk, for more days = $

Mating Season Checklist Higher 6 week in-calf rates

%HWWHU XVH RI VWDƬ WL Monitor anoestrus

Reduced stress

cows

Breakfast with the kids

025( 6/(Ǧ3

For more information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or visit your local store today. FAR_08353

0800 200 600 www.farmlands.co.nz 48 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Achieving goals using monitoring technology A fourth-generation farmer at Waikuku, North Canterbury, Alastair Robinson is making use of high performance technology to achieve goals on his farm. The property has been in the family for almost 100 years and is home to a Royal Oak Holstein Friesian stud, milking 900 cows at the peak and 750 over winter. Alastair has been on the farm full time since 1993 and has grown the operation by taking opportunities to purchase neighbouring properties and lease blocks as they came to the market. He says his strategy was purely to be in a position to take any opportunities as they arose – and he has also had a little bit of luck. Alastair has three main goals for the farm over the next 2-3 years. Firstly, he is aiming to have a lower percentage of empties and carryovers. He is also aiming to have more accurate mating records for drying cows off at suitable times to allow for recovery. Lastly, he is aiming to decrease the number of wasted straws each year. He has chosen a cow monitoring system, SenseTime™ by Allflex, to assist him in reaching his management goals. The SenseTime system delivers actionable information on the reproductive, health, nutritional and wellbeing status of individual cows and groups. Primarily purchased for mating, Alastair planned to fit 200 SenseTime collars a month and had a total of 425 collars on when the Allflex team caught up with him in July. He started

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

| Alastair says the SenseTime system is already having an impact on heat detection and insemination accuracy.

with the empty cows he is mating for autumn and the early autumn calvers that he is starting to mate now.

are inseminated on a false heat, the cost of wasted straws and heat patches can add up very quickly.

Alastair says the SenseTime system is already having an impact on heat detection and insemination accuracy.

“We won’t see the full benefit until we have them on longer but I can easily see it saving us $20-$30 per cow per year,” Alastair says.

“It has been really helpful and accurate so far, the collars have picked up cows that staff have missed, including one silent heat.” The SenseTime system also fits with his current automations and in-shed feeding facilities in his 70-bail rotary shed. “As our mating is spread throughout the year, the focus does shift from staff to a certain degree,” he says. “We also were really keen to see if we could pick up sick cows sooner and have a better chance of successfully treating them. We were getting about 1-2 cows per milking that the staff had missed for mating but this morning we had four picked up, which was great.” The farm uses pedigree straws at approximately $40 per straw. If cows

They currently use the system twice a day, after each milking, by monitoring the heat graphs for specific cows. “We monitor the cow’s optimum mating window and if she is a little early, we hold off inseminating until the next milking,” Alastair says. “It is great, I feel confident we are inseminating at the right time and are not missing any.” Alastair says he is really looking forward to getting the collars on his springers and fresh cows. “You can’t always be down in the paddock, so it will be good to know when they’ve started calving.” For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Allflex.

THE FARMLANDER | 49

FOR GROWERS Spend $1,000 on selected products during October and November and get a

BE IN TO

YOUR SHARE OF

S PLU

*Terms and Conditions apply. Offer valid 1st October to 30th November 2018 for Farmlands shareholders only. Strictly while stocks last. See farmlands.co.nz for more information and full Terms and Conditions.

50 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

HORTICULTURE

GROCHEM PRODUCTS: Ambitious 1L, 5L. BAPSol 1L, 5L. Bee-Scent 9.46L. Bio Bit 1kg. Boost It 10kg. Boost It Plus 10kg, 25kg. Bud-Wiser 10kg. Campbells Trace-it Boron 5L, 20L, 200L. Campbells Trace-it Magnesium 5L, 20L, 200L, 1,000L. Campbells Trace-it Manganese 5L, 20L, 200L. Campbells Trace-it Manganese N 5L, 20L. Campbells Trace-it Molybdenum 5L. Campbells Trace-it Zinc C 5L, 20L. Campbells Trace-it Zinc S 5L, 20L. Comic 860g. Feed It 10kg. Finish It 10kg, 25kg. Gib 47 1L, 5L. Growth 1L, 5L, 20L. Gro-Mag Super 20kg. Kiwi Combo 10kg. MegaStar 900g. MobStar 20L. Nordox 75WG 5kg, 10kg. ParaMite 5L. Spray Aid 5L, 20L. Sunny 1L, 5L. Super Boron 10kg. Umbrella 10L. Velocity 50SC 240ml, 1L. NUFARM PRODUCTS: Barrack Betterstick 720 10L. Captan 600 Flo 10L. Captan 900WG 10kg. ChampION 10kg. Contact XL 1L, 5L, 20L. DiPel DF 500g, 5kg. Hornet 430SC 1L, 20L. Intuity Fungicide 5L. Kaiso 2.5kg. Nando 5L, 20L. Nuprid 350SL 5L. Prolectus 10L. Retain 415g. Sumisclex 500 SC 1L, 10L. Tazer 5L. Thiram 40F 10L

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 51

SAVE OVER $200!

KINGSPAN DIESEL 12V UTE TANK 200L Earn 73 Choices Points | 212347

.00

1,100

INCL. GST

SAVE $225.00

FREE

Maxant Tool with ever y purchase!* !

SAVE $499!

DELFAST CORDLESS FENCE BATTEN STAPLER Earn 66 Choices Points | 199897

.00

999

INCL. GST

READY TO GO FULL DEPTH HIVE STARTING KIT Earn 6 Choices Points | 216111

.00

SAVE $499.05

INCL. GST

SAVE $45.38

WEEDMASTER TS540 20L Earn 16 Choices Points | 157722

.02

251

INCL. GST

SAVE $24.74

0800 200 600 FAR_08345

www.farmlands.co.nz Terms and Conditions apply. Savings and Discounts based on normal retail price. While stocks last. Prices valid from 1st - 31st October 2018.

52 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

HORTICULTURE

Timely disease management now pays off later Spring is a high-risk time for fungal infections in apple trees, because it brings an ideal mix of conditions – warmer, often wet weather, which promotes rapid growth of spores and bacteria and soft, fresh growth of blossoms and leaves from dormant branches. Protectant fungicides at this stage of the season are essential to prevent primary infection of diseases such as black spot taking hold in the new season crop. By successfully averting primary infection, growers can reduce the need for fungicides later in the season and lessen the potential for secondary infections to establish. Black spot (Venturia inaequalis) is a serious disease for New Zealand apple growers and if it is not adequately controlled it can result in large losses of marketable fruit. Typical symptoms are circular black spots on leaves and fruits. On fruits, the spots can coalesce resulting in cracks and rots. Black spot infection and spread is favoured by wet and mild weather. Other apple diseases, which can become established on fresh new growth at this time of the season include Glomerella, ripe spot and sooty blotch. Nufarm Research and Development Manager, Alan Cliffe says repeat applications of protectant fungicides such as Manzate Evolution are used from green tip onwards to prevent fungal disease spores from germinating on fresh, newly emerged plant tissue.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

| Black spot is a serious disease for New Zealand apple growers.

Such spores are always present in the background environment to a greater or lesser degree, depending on orchard management, previous disease outbreaks, crop variety, hygiene and prevailing weather conditions. Manzate Evolution is a contact fungicide, which means it does not move into the surface of the plant. “It needs to be applied prior to disease infection and subsequent applications should be carefully timed to ensure its ongoing protective action keeps up with the rapid pace of early season plant growth,” Alan says.

grouping of fungicides and has a multi-site mode of action, which stops disease organisms from adapting and mutating. This means that even after decades of use, fungal strains have not developed resistance to Manzate Evolution. The Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) places mancozeb in the M mode of action group (M3) and it can be mixed with at-risk fungicide groups such as SDHIs to prolong their efficacy and delay the development of resistance.

Recommended re-spray intervals are 7-14 days, using higher rates and shorter intervals early in the season or under severe disease conditions.

Formulation benefits of Manzate Evolution include quick wetting and suspension of the fine granules, uniform deposition on the plant surface and low dust and low foaming characteristics.

Manzate Evolution is a water dispersible granule formulation containing 750g/kg mancozeb, a long-established and very broad-spectrum protectant fungicide.

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

It belongs to the dithocarbamate

Article supplied by Nufarm.

THE FARMLANDER | 53

6005 0991 1047 7802 AM CARD HOLDER

Works for you

EXP MAY 19

ANDY CARD HOLDER 911047780 911047780 ANDY CARD ARD HOLDER HOLDER

AM CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

6005 0991 1047 7802 600

54 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

HORTICULTURE

Robust, effective botrytis control for grapes season, New Zealand growers have another fungicide available for botrytis control, which acts against the disease at key stages of its lifecycle using a new active ingredient.

the very start of the disease lifecycle,

Prolectus, the new botryticide from Nufarm New Zealand, has several important benefits in this regard. Prolectus is a suspension concentrate (SC) fungicide based on fenpyrazamine, a new active ingredient offering unique chemistry and properties, which is able to block botrytis in various stages of its biological cycle. Key attributes include excellent translaminar properties, which deliver powerful curative and protective activity, as well as offering excellent rainfastness. Fenpyrazamine is a Group 17 active, which penetrates quickly into the crop to provide an immediate effect on botrytis infections. Importantly, it is also safe on a number of key beneficial insects used for biological pest control, including predatory mites and parasitic wasps.

varieties in Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and

local market withholding period is 7

It is at this stage that timely fungicide

Nufarm Development Specialist, Cynthia Christie says because fenpyrazamine acts at multiple points of the botrytis lifecycle, Prolectus is able to provide robust and effective disease control.

application protects the crop. This

“It prevents germ tube elongation at

Article supplied by Nufarm.

Fungicides are only one part of successfully controlling botrytis (Botrytis cinerea) in New Zealand wine grapes. However, like all the other elements of best practice disease management, they play a critical role in determining a successful outcome. Botrytis or bunch rot is ubiquitous in New Zealand vineyards, as it is in every vineyard around the world. Infections pose a major challenge for growers and winemakers, as the disease affects grape yield, quality, colour and flavour. The tiny organisms that cause the disease are present in the environment year-round, so effective control entails an integrated approach that includes vine vigour control, canopy management and good vineyard hygiene to reduce the amount of botrytis inoculum building up in the environment. One of the highest risk times for infection is when grapes are at flowering to bunch closure, because airborne fungal spores infect dead or dying flower parts, such as flower caps and aborted berries.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

impacts infectious mycelial growth, prevents lesion development and finally, inhibits spore formulation,” she says. Field tested on several different grape Marlborough, Prolectus provided the same level of botrytis control as the reference fungicide used for the trials. It is registered for botrytis control and has MRL’s set in many major wine growing regions around the world. Up to two applications applied no later than 80 percent capfall will result in nil detectable residues in wine. Applications made pre-bunch closure, another key spray timing for botrytis, can result in detectable residues. Users should consult the New Zealand Winegrowers Vineyard Spray Schedule or contract winery for the latest MRL information to plan a use pattern that meets their export destination MRL requirements. The weeks after the last application. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Advisor or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

THE FARMLANDER | 55

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

7 years on It is a bitterly cold and wet, late August day at Matahiwi Road near Masterton. Farmer, Tom Holmes and Iplex Pipelines Rural Project Manager, Pete Carswell, are sitting in a Can-Am side-by-side, in the middle of an 8 hectare paddock discussing land drainage. Pete has returned to Tom’s property to see the changes that subsoil drainage has made to this block. This long-term trial, on understanding the benefits of land drainage on a dry stock farm, has featured in two previous Farmlander articles (circa 2012 and 2013). Arranged through Farmlands Masterton, utilising land drainage

| Tom Holmes is impressed with the improved pasture performance of his block.

consultant Warren Woodgyer, the expertise of Manawatu based Blackley

“There has been a major change in

Construction to install the system and

the soil structure following the initial

Iplex’s high-flow smooth-bore Nexus

drainage,” Tom says. The paddock

land drainage pipe, the changes to this

was originally a heavy clay base and

block have been transformational.

after years of saturation, the soil

7 years ago, at this time of the year,

profile was very compacted with

this paddock was virtually impossible

virtually no pores and had a thatched

to walk on, let alone drive a vehicle

root mass close to the surface.

over. The drainage system design, utilising 110mm Nexus lateral lines, with 160mm Nexus laid under a shallow depression running the length of the paddock to form a grass runway, stone dykes to mitigate erosion and mole-drains has resulted in: • Vehicle access for virtually 12 months of year. • Improved pasture performance. • Lamb safely on the block without fear of undue lamb mortality. • Graze cattle on the block for 9-10 months of the year.

56 | THE FARMLANDER

A programme of aeration to a height above the mole drainage lines has seen a transformation in the soil structure. A look at the soil profile now shows a healthy layer of top soil that is providing a strong seed bed for crops and grasses. “I’m convinced that a good drainage system, combined with aeration, can turn around soil structures to become

Tom also notes that as a dry stock farmer, land drainage has always been of interest but the relatively high cost has been a detractor. However, beef and sheep meat returns have certainly improved and are now much more consistent, so the “return on investment” through the greater productivity off well drained land is more acceptable. “As with any trial, we had an undrained ‘control block’ on Tom’s farm adjacent to the drained paddock,” Pete says. “Nothing reinforced to me more the differences between these two blocks 7 years later, than my side-byside getting stuck in the undrained paddock when visiting Tom that day!”

fertilisers and high-powered cultivars

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

when the soil structure is broken?”

Article supplied by Iplex Pipelines.

highly productive,” Tom says. “Why spend good money on the flash

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Cost effective infrastructure essential For many cost-conscious farmers, saving money on investments such as farm infrastructure is extremely important. However, ensuring that the infrastructure can last the test of time is just as essential. Lighter and more cost effective than timber gates, steel gates are now the most common type of gate used on New Zealand farms. They are galvanised to reduce corrosion and being lighter they are easier to get out to the fence line and for one person to swing. Due to increased demand across New Zealand for simple, yet functional farm gates suitable for the costconscious farmer, EuroSteel went to market to secure this supply. Having started off with two employees, EuroSteel (a division of Euro Corporation) has now grown to more than 400 staff spanning eight locations across New Zealand. Since 1994 the founders of Euro Corporation, the McKenzie family, have been servicing the wider rural and broader construction industry.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

EuroSteel Rural Manager, Stuart Tyler says that from the very beginning, Euro Corporation has been dedicated to helping customers succeed. “Without our customers and clients, we wouldn’t have a business,” he says. “Being a New Zealand owned and operated market leader, we are always aiming high to deliver to the needs of our customers whether it be in product, service, quality or price.”

The concept gates were then put

Obtaining the right gate, which was priced fairly and could withstand the harsh New Zealand environment, was no easy task. EuroSteel got to work with a local design engineer to create chain link and barred gate specifications and concept samples.

product fit for the market,” Stuart

“It was important that we designed a gate that had the correct protective coatings and steel frame diameters, with adequate holes for venting and draining,” Stuart says. “Strong welding points were also critical, to ensure durability in high stock pressure areas. The final designs included key features such as, heavy galvanised coating, double lacing laps on all corners, three vertical stays and clean finishes.”

to the test on a number of New Zealand farms. Once the design and testing phase was complete, EuroSteel engaged with several offshore production mills, eventually narrowing this list down to two key manufacturers that shared the same competencies, disciplines and values. “It was crucial that these manufacturers had the capability to construct our says. “This manufacturing process is supported by a robust, independent and accredited quality assurance programme. This programme ensures all products meet the strict standards in place, prior to being containerised and shipped to New Zealand.” This comprehensive range is now made up of 15 different gates to suit various farming types and conditions in New Zealand. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by EuroSteel.

THE FARMLANDER | 57

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Update your wardrobe with our newest additions for the spring season. With over 1,500 products to choose from, Choices Rewards can keep you looking good.

R. M. Williams Cap

R. M. Williams Belt

R. M. Williams Collins Check Shirt

430 Choices Points

400 Choices Points

1,510 Choices Points

R. M. Williams Ramco Denim Jean

R. M. Williams Patterson Creek Vest

R. M. Williams Craftsman Boots

1,600 Choices Points

1,270 Choices Points

5,925 Choices Points

Proudly supplied by

FAR_08280

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 while stocks last. 58 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Installing your water tank Now that winter is over, things are starting to dry out and spring has sprung, you may be looking to get a new water tank to ensure an uninterrupted water supply for the summer ahead.

Planning how you will install and add the plumbing accessories to the tank is also important. The Promax team highly recommend that you run your project past a drainlayer or plumber to ensure your plans will work.

Here are some handy hints and tips to consider when installing your new water tank:

To take advantage of the maximum catchment of water, downpipes can be fed from both gutters into the one tank. The overflow capacity must match the downpipe capacity.

• Ensure that the tank site is flat and level and also free from any foreign matter that may damage the tank’s base. • Ensure that the tank site is well compacted if fill is used to prepare or level the site.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Avoid free hanging, unsupported pipe work. It puts excessive strain on fittings and tank wall.

1. Ensure a flexible hose is installed after the gate or ball valve with a minimum 300mm length.

• If a sand base is used, a retaining cover should be used to prevent sand from washing away after installation.

• If the tank is not secured properly, wind or stormy weather can blow it away or move the tank out of its level place. Add 200mm of water to the bottom of the tank to weigh it down.

5. Do not allow the tank site to deteriorate after installation due to any form of erosion or site destruction caused by vermin such as rabbits.

Important considerations when plumbing the tank are:

• Ensure that the tank site is at least 300mm larger in diameter than the tank.

• Remember that a full tank will weigh up to 30 tonnes – so it is important that the surface it sits on is level, stable and firm.

4. The number of inlet pipes, their sizes and capacities must equal the number of overflow pipes, their sizes and capacities.

When pipe work is exposed or over a longer distance, insert a length of flexible pipe 300mm to absorb shocks and movements. Alternatively, lay pipe work into ground just after the 300mm flexible pipe to avoid running over and damaging fitting or tank.

2. The tank outlet must not be subjected to extra force, e.g. over-tightening of fittings. 3. Overflow must be piped clear of base to avoid erosion.

Burying your tank is a great way to avoid height restriction issues. A buried tank with shrubs planted around it is also more attractive in your backyard. Promax Corrugated Enduro tanks can be buried up to 1 metre in the ground and still retain their 20 year warranty. If you are planning to bury a Promax corrugated tank, you should prepare the base with 100mm minimum of compacted sand, just as you would if installing the tank above ground. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Promax.

THE FARMLANDER | 59

Works for you RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE 6005 0991 1047 7802 AM CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

ANDY CARD HOLDER 911047780

911047780 ANDY CARD ARD HOLDER HOLDER

AM CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

6005 0991 1047 7802 600

Don’t miss these great buys. Exclusive prices for Farmlands shareholders. EXCLUSIVE

SHAREHOLDER DeWalt PRICE Petrol Pressure Washer save $89.90 now

80910

3200 PSI. 317697

SHAREHOLDER PRICE save $15.10 now

13590

SHAREHOLDER PRICE save $5 now

2495

Wattyl Forestwood Traditional Oil Stain

Simple green Outdoor Cleaner

10 Litre. Rustic Oak.

2.5 Litres. 317644

FL_OCT_18

357023

Go to www.mitre10.co.nz to find your nearest store. 1

60 | THE FARMLANDER

Offers available in store only until 31 October 2018. While stocks last.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Solutions that suit New Zealand conditions Reliable, fit for purpose solutions are key aspects to making farm life easier and more profitable. Dependable solutions are especially important when it comes to farm infrastructure such as gates, as to most farmers this infrastructure can be a significant investment. The research, design and manufacture of gates and gate hardware to standards New Zealanders can be proud of is especially important to Gallagher – and this is reflected in the recent introduction of a 5 year warranty for their products. For Gallagher’s Gate and Gate Hardware Manager, Ian Richards, refining and maintaining processes to continually set benchmarks for excellence has been top of mind since his grandfather – John Richards Senior – started what was called Franklin Machinery Exchange in the South Auckland suburb of Pukekohe in 1941. “Recognising a market need for quality metal products, by 1960 the business further diversified into developing frame gates and gate hardware,” Ian says. Having taken on that commitment to

developing quality metal products, Ian explains that was met with the need for investment into people and machinery to deliver on those customer expectations. “When we’re designing gates and gate hardware that are produced in Pukekohe, we think a lot about New Zealand’s farming landscape. That meant we’ve always had a strong desire to have control over the complete manufacturing process – that led to the installation of a zinc electro-plating plant and later a hot dip galvanising plant, so that our output could consistently deliver what was needed.” Continuous improvement, fresh thinking and innovative undercurrent saw Gallagher purchase the company in 1994. “The shift to Gallagher meant we could leverage the skills of a network of manufacturing and rural specialists. Being part of an international brand comes with some truly useful benefits for customers too – and that’s who we’re dedicated to,” Ian says. “Ever since the start, we considered – and continue to consider – design

to be critical in the success of our products and a number of our designs have come directly through working with farmers. All of our equipment is made and maintained by our in-house engineers who uphold a high level of control on quality, so that we’re producing gates and gate hardware that is not only made to last but represents value for money due to their design and the quality of materials used in manufacture, which is why we are confident to introduce the 5 year warranty.” Ian says they have come a long way with their manufacturing processes. “Gate frames need to stand the test of time, so the hollow structures are punched for venting and are submerged in a bath of molten zinc at a temperature of 460 degrees Celsius.” This method of hot dip galvanising is considered the best form of corrosion protection. “The process itself means the product is galvanised on the internal surfaces of the pipe, as well as the outside. This protective coating provides excellent corrosion resistance for exposure in the toughest conditions,” Ian explains. “All outputs are checked for accuracy against drawings and testing jigs. That’s something we’ve done for the last 60 years and look forward to doing for the next 60 years – all to ensure we’re delivering for our customers.” For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Gallagher.

| New Zealand’s farming landscape is taken into consideration when designing gates and gate hardware.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 61

CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

Responding to your feedback Earlier this year, Farmlands launched its “always on” customer engagement programme. Farmlands shareholders can now provide their feedback online at any time. Below, Farmlands Chief Executive Peter Reidie discusses the programme and the value of shareholder feedback. Our shareholders are at the centre of everything we do. We were created more than 50 years ago to challenge the status quo and the power base of the traditional stock and station agents. Since the earliest years of our co-operative, we have grown and evolved to provide a great range of land inputs, at consistently the best prices,

together with solutions both in terms of the products we present and sell and the technical expertise we offer.

effectively run their business. This,

Given that, what I enjoy about our model is that our customer is our owner – any commercial enterprise (well the smart ones, anyway) seek to please their customer. In our case, we please our customer, we please our owner. It is critical we listen to your thoughts, your feedback (good and bad) and what you believe we need to do to go from good to great.

Spirit, putting our shareholders’ future

Six months ago, we launched our customer engagement programme. It is “always on”, which means that shareholders can provide their feedback at a time, place and date that suits them. It is always available to every shareholder, regardless of where they are, who they are and how many shares they have. Each piece of shareholder feedback – and we have received more than 8,000 responses to date – is of equal value to us on our journey to improve your customer experience and performance our co-operative.

together with our purpose of “reinventing the Farmlands Co-operative success at the centre of everything we do”, is what we are seeking to do. Your feedback ensures we remain focused on that journey to highlight opportunities for us to do better.

“

It is critical we listen to your thoughts, your feedback and what you believe we need to do to go from good to great.

Over the coming months, we will be rolling out initiatives that continue the re-invention of the Farmlands Co-operative Spirit. Some are big, some are small but all work towards

With half a year of surveys now completed, we have a Net Promoter Score of +58. In comparison, the published New Zealand retail benchmark is +29. This is a positive for our co-operative and this was reinforced when Farmlands won the KPMG Customer Experience Excellence (CEE) Award in July.

making sure we are delivering a

We aim to go higher. Our entire existence is dependent on – and has never deviated from – helping our members save on what they need to

negatives and close the gaps you are

great experience for our members. Whilst we are pleased with our baseline results, we know there is more work to do. Your quest for a better cooperative and your efforts to provide us with the feedback we need to make that a reality allow us to build on what we are doing well, eliminate our identifying. Without your feedback, we would not be in this position. Thanks for providing it and keep it up.

| Farmlands Chief Executive, Peter Reidie.

62 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Innovation and technology to make the milking shed safer Involving our workers in good risk identification and management is key to improving Health and Safety on your farm – but innovation and technology help too. As twice daily milking gets underway, dairy shed related injury claims to ACC rise rapidly. Dairy farming accounts for the largest number of workplace injury claims, with many happening in the milking shed. These range from injuries involving machinery, handling animals and slips, trips and falls to musculoskeletal injuries, electrical and chemical hazards and hot water burns. “A new farm dairy should be designed with Health and Safety measures front of mind,” Agricultural Sector Lead for WorkSafe, Al McCone says. “However, existing dairies can be modified and many safety features incorporated into refits, expansions, upgrades and general maintenance.” Many milking shed related claims, such as repetitive strain injuries from handling milking clusters and slips, trips and falls can be controlled through good design. The dairy should be designed to let workers milk in a comfortable position, between shoulder and mid-thigh. A common risk is the mismatch between the worker’s height and the depth of the pit or the height of the rotary. Set up the workplace to reduce bending, twisting or loading and keep work in front of people. The shoulder to midthigh position allows the natural lumbar curve in the back to be maintained. Kick rails should be installed, rotary

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

platforms rollers guarded and all effluent ponds fenced off. Machinery should have emergency stop buttons. Obstacles such as pipes and rails should be above head height and banana rails fitted between the backing and kick rails in rotary platforms. Hot water taps should be sited out of reach of small children. The best options are taps requiring a two-step process to turn them on. Purpose-built artificial insemination (AI) platforms with steps and rails and a separate AI test race alongside the dairy are good design features. Poorly designed cow entries and exits with turns, ramps, or steps which are too steep, pose risks. Avoid corners or bends at cow entry points and design the entry sloping up to the farm dairy, with a slope of less than six percent. Quick release gates should be in place to release cows if they go into the pit. “Changes farmers can make at any time include installing slipresistant flooring or non-slip matting, fitting handrails and installing guards on machinery,” Al says. “Hang hoses on walls and run pipes along walls, not walkways. Remove unused fittings, like bolt fasteners in floors. If you can’t remove tripping hazards, highlight them with yellow paint, tape or safety signs. If you can’t remove overhead obstacles, cover them with padding, highlight with bright colours or put up warning signs. “Install weatherproof and waterproof switches and droppers to keep electrical leads off floors and you should have a circuit board with a

| The dairy should be designed to let workers milk comfortably.

residual current device (RCD) or safety switch, covering the farm dairy.” And remember – if you have staff, you have a source of good ideas. Sitting down, going through the milking process and discussing what does or could go wrong and what you could do about it will lead to the best innovation and ideas for your particular farm. For further details on dairy design and upgrades see the “Staying Safe in and Around Farm Dairies” section at www.worksafe.govt.nz. Article supplied by WorkSafe.

THE FARMLANDER | 63

6005 0991 1047 7802 AM CARD HOLDER

Works for you

EXP MAY 19

ANDY CARD HOLDER 911047780 911047780 ANDY CARD ARD HOLDER HOLDER

AM CARD HOLDER

EXP MAY 19

6005 0991 1047 7802 600

MICO

HEATING

FUJITSU PREMIUM HEAT PUMPS FROM

INSTALLED FROM

1,220

FUJITSU E3 CLASSIC HEAT PUMPS

1,320 INC

INSTALLED FROM

SAVE $440

2,270 INC

SERENE 2kW HEAT & BEAT

GASMATE OUTDOOR LPG PATIO HEATERS

Outdoor electric heater with built in bluetooth control & audio

FARMLANDS CARD PRICE

2,170

UPGRADE TO THE E3 RANGE + $100

FROM

BEAT THE HEAT WITH THESE EXCLUSIVE FARMLANDS SHAREHOLDER OFFERS FROM MICO!

71499

SAVE $204

29999

SAVE $30

Promotional period is 1st October – 31st October 2018. All prices include GST. Offer is not valid in conjunction with any other promotional offer or discount. Discount is off normal shelf price. Some product only available while stocks last. Products are ordered in to the branch and are not stocked items. Installation price subject to site assessments and site restrictions. Heat pump installation price based on 3m back to back conﬁguration. Unit sizing requires professional recommendation. Installer must be arranged before heat pump order is released. For more details contact heating@mico.co.nz

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

Super tough

Floor mats

Seat covers

• • • • • •

Unique locking system keeps them in place Easy to remove for cleaning Moulded to fit your vehicle perfectly Both front and rear available Made from quality PVC Full replacement warranty

• • • • • • • • •

5% SHAREHOLDER REBATE

Genuine, high quality 12oz canvas Manufacturing for over 25 years Water and rot proof Easy to fit – easy to clean Side airbag tested and certified Tailored specifically to fit each type of seat Over 800 vehicle and 50 quad patterns available Protect your vehicle investment Overnight delivery available on most products

NEW MODEL UTE COVERS AND FLEET DEALS AVAILABLE ORDER ONLINE OR GIVE US A CALL!

64 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

The New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards aim to capture and preserve the history of our countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farming families. Each month we will share stories from Farmlands shareholders who have worked their land for 100 years or more.

Erskine family celebrates more than 130 years The Erskine family have farmed at Westwood in Tuatapere, Southland, since 1885. Hugh Erskine emigrated from County Down, Ireland in 1880 and was joined 3 years later by his bride to be, Agnes. In 1885 Hugh and Agnes took up farm land on the western side of the Waiau River, approximately

| Hay making.

50 miles west of Invercargill. They were the first pioneering family in what became known as the Papatotara district. At the time, west Waiau land was only available

on lease and although Hugh cleared land and was granted the right to build a homestead, it was 1893 before Hugh officially purchased the 315 acres known as Westwood. For a time, the Westwood homestead was the centre of the growing community and was used as the school and post office. Hugh also funded the start of the Tuatapere Pipe Band, who wore the Erskine tartan.

| Hugh and Agnes Erskine with family and Fanny Nickless (first teacher) in 1899 taken outside Westwood homestead.

Hugh and Agnes had nine children, however only four lived to adulthood. Their son Ebenezer (Ben) was the second generation and took over running the farm in 1922. By chance the neighbours had a friend from Marlborough visit and in 1930 Ben married a Marlborough girl called Clinton. Ben and Clinton had two children, David and Florence. Clinton took their children to Marlborough to visit family, which in the 1940s was a multi-day trip. Seeing the success of his parents, David also found himself a Marlborough farm girl called Janet. David and Janet married in 1962 and became the

third generation to farm Westwood. David and Janet had five children. Four lived to adulthood and three (Quinton, Anita and Eric) were keen on farming life. David and Janet purchased an additional 570 acres to expand the farming operation and provide opportunities for their children. Quinton, Anita and Eric are the fourth generation and have added another 110 acres to the farming operation. Today they farm 995 acres/402 hectares (freehold) and lease another 320 acres/129 hectares. In the late 1890s/early 1900s, cattle were the mainstay when the Westwood land was being broken in. However, within 10 years Hugh Erskine was running a mix of sheep and beef cattle. The Westwood farming operation today remains a sheep and beef operation. The Shorthorn beef cattle introduced by Ben Erskine in the 1950s suit the land. The Shorthorn Stud, managed by Anita, provides premium animals, has imported new genetics to New Zealand and has been recognised by a Silver Medal in the 2017 Beef and Lamb Steak of Origin competition.

| Clinton and Ben Erskine with their children Florence and David in 1955.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 65

REAL ESTATE

FREE S BONUK PAC

QUALITY YOU CAN SEE Grisport Footwear utilises the strength of many years’ experience with footwear with exceptional build cutting edge technology to make footw quality. Beautifully tanned leathers, stro strong hardware, precise stitching and smart designs produce footwear tthat lasts the distance. Good design need not cost more.

s cted style with sele rt Boots of Grispo

COMFORT YOU CAN FEEL We consistently strive to fulúl Grisport’s paramount, ongoing G m mission - Comfort First and Forever - by creating a range of quality fo footwear featuring stylish designs and state-of-the-art technology.

Contractor Safety Brown

(also available in Black)

Colossus C Col ol olo ossus ossus oss us Safety Safe Saf etyy et Safety

H Hercules e ule erc ules l s Safety Safety Saf ety

Potenza Potenz Pot enza nza Safety Sa ety Safety

Milan M Mil a Sa an Safety Saf ety ety Availa Avail Ava ilable ble in in ex e xten tended ded d Available extended size siz ize rang rrange ang ange ge from from om UK 11 13 3 size 1-13

THE GRISPORT HEEL SUPPORT SYSTEM 6XSSRUW 6\VWHPp LV DQ HIIHFWLYH KHHO ORFNLQJ V\VWHP GHVLJQHG WR SURYLGH SHUIHFW FRQWURO RI WKH IRRW WKURXJK DOO SKDVHV RI PRYHPHQW 7KH ú W LV DOZD\V FRPIRUWDEOH DQG VHFXUH

WITH SUPPORT PPORT SYSTEM EM JUHDWHU FRQWURO FRQWURO DQG VWDELOLW\ ELOLW\

WITHOUT SUPPORT SYSTEM

Available at your local Farmlands store!

0800 200 600 www.farmlands.co.nz 66 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

REAL ESTATE

Property ID: AM1099

Balcairn | Views from the Downs Set on 6.9 hectares with views over the surrounding farmlands, out to sea and the bright lights of Christchurch. Built in 1997 this board and batten home with corrugated iron roof features four bedrooms, large open-plan living/dining/kitchen, separate toilet, large laundry and bathroom. Large 4-bay shed, two bays closed in with concrete floor and single phase power. Cattle yard and circular horse yard. One unit of county water. Waipara deep silt loam soils. Suit as contractor’s yard. Offers over $765,000 including GST.

www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

Hamish Anderson Lifestyle / Rural – Amberley 027 678 8888 hamish.anderson@farmlands.co.nz Maurice Newell Lifestyle / Rural – Rangiora 027 240 1718 maurice.newell@farmlands.co.nz

Property ID: AM1110

Hororata | Ashwood Downs

www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

This attractive and well maintained 27 hectare deer farm is being offered to the market due to our vendors retiring. The home is approximately 175m² and comprises four bedrooms, two living areas, separate kitchen and there is a detached three car garage. Farm buildings include a 3-bay hay shed, a 3-bay implement shed, as well as an old storage shed. Twelve deer fenced paddocks on Timaru moderately deep Silty Loam, with excellent handling facilities, good fencing and shelter in all paddocks. Deadline sale closing 4pm, Wednesday 17 October 2018 (unless sold prior) plus GST (if any).

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Hamish Anderson Lifestyle / Rural – Amberley 027 678 8888 hamish.anderson@farmlands.co.nz Maurice Newell Lifestyle / Rural – Rangiora 027 240 1718 maurice.newell@farmlands.co.nz

THE FARMLANDER | 67

REAL ESTATE

Property ID: IN2117

Gore | Sheep and beef/dairy support unit 161.41 hectares of easy rolling contour, subdivided into 25 paddocks, four holding paddocks with central lane leading into the yards. Eight units from the local water scheme, shelter belts and cattle yards. Magnificent three bedroom, plus office brick home built in 2013 with open-plan kitchen/dining and separate formal lounge. Double garage with internal access. This property is well situated, being only 20 minutes (approximately), by sealed road to Gore. Deadline sale closing 1pm, Wednesday 17 October 2018 (unless sold prior).

www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

Nigel Moore Lifestyle / Rural – Gore 027 444 6132 nigel.moore@farmlands.co.nz Allan Thompson Lifestyle / Rural – Gore 027 201 0410 allan.thompson@farmlands.co.nz

Property ID: RT1039

Taupo | Dairy unit, economic buying Situated 35km north of Taupo and 58km south west of Rotorua is this 198 hectare dairy unit. Currently a Miraka supplier milking 350 cows with a 3 year average of 130,000kgMS. Calving date 25th July, 100 calves reared, herd wintered on plus 30 carryovers. The central location is ideal for those looking for both economy of scale and lifestyle. Call Phil for open day times and dates. Price by negotiation.

68 | THE FARMLANDER

www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

Phil Badger Lifestyle / Rural – Rotorua 027 357 5704 phil.badger@farmlands.co.nz

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

REAL ESTATE

Putaruru | Don’t miss this rare opportunity 125.7 hectares (subject to survey) of high quality, free draining Tirau Ash soils. This property provides an opportunity to secure a grazing and cropping support block with good scale, in a location where these types of properties are hard to find. The property is subdivided into approximately 45 paddocks that are serviced by a central and lateral race system. There is no dwelling on the property and the only farm building is a 2-bay implement shed. Tender closing 2pm, Wednesday 17 October 2018 (unless sold by private treaty).

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Property ID: MT1064 www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

Ian Morgan Lifestyle / Rural – Waikato 027 492 5878 ian.morgan@farmlands.co.nz Glen Murray Lifestyle / Rural – Waikato 027 488 6138 glen.murray@farmlands.co.nz

THE FARMLANDER | 69

REAL ESTATE

7 6

EXCLUSIVE FARMLANDS SHAREHOLDER PRICES 1

Bull bar - $1779

Winch - $1368

Rated recovery points - $228

Side steps - $819

Scrub Rails (requires side steps) - $380

Under-Tray Aluminium Toolbox - $285

Long range fuel tank - $1139

Recovery kit and jack - $405/ $219

From $428

From $1739

From $439

www.ironman4x4.co.nz Exclusive shareholder pricing. Prices do not include freight or fitting and are subject to change without notice.

70 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

IRONMAN

4X4 REAL ESTATE

YEARS SINCE 1958

I M-4X4

3 Parts and accessories available for most makes and models of 4x4 utes. Check out our website to view the selection available for your vehicle.

From $$609 6009

From $695 From $409 $4099

Products available from over 40 stores NZ Wide call 0508 IRONMAN for your nearest dealer WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 71

FLEXIBILITY for your farm finances

Farm Flexi is a revolving credit option exclusive to Farmlands shareholders. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s simple to use and offers a great range of benefits.

$19.95

paid 6 monthly

Manage seasonal cash flow

Low account fees Fees only apply when funds are drawn down so you only pay for what you use

$ No establishment or booking fees

The idea is simple â&#x20AC;&#x201C; put your farming inputs on your Farm Flexi and pay it off when you get paid for them (or earlier if you choose).

$ No early repayment fees Clear balances when you choose or make partial payments

Minimum monthly payments of just 5%

FAR_06111

To learn more about Farm Flexi and to apply, head to www.farmlands.co.nz/farm-flexi or call 0800 200 600. Finance provided by Finance Now. Refer to Terms and Conditions for full details and disclosures relating to Farm Flexi and Finance Now. Lending conditions apply. Rates and fees subject to change.

10.25 per annum

Very competitive interest rates of just 10.25% p.a.