The Farmlander - August 2020 by Farmlands

SPECIAL OFFERS AND INFORMATION FOR FARMLANDS SHAREHOLDERS

AUGUST 2020 Valid from 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 31 August 2020

The FARMLANDER FEED TODAY FOR TOMORROW PAGE 6

SEEKING THREE NEW DIRECTORS PAGE 17

RESPECT FOR RURAL AUDIENCES PAGE 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

AUGUST

INTEREST

PLAN365

3. Farmlands staff profile

Plan365 Nutrition

3. From the CEO

27. Transitional broodmare nutrition

4. 5 minutes with Sarah Perriam

29. Minimising changes in a stressful life

31. “Just like ewe’s colostrum”

6. Special Feature – The need for feed

11. Buying Power Promise

33. Feeding for peak production and fertility

13. Partnership to support science-led solutions

35. Not all milk replacers are created equal

15. The beauty of the Farmlands Card 17. Call for Director Election nominations 19. Learning in the flow of life 21. Easy access to the latest crop health details 23. Key factors see accidents rise in spring 25. Equine expertise born out of experience 61. The magnificence of Mangapurakau

Plan365 Animal Management 39. Post-calving drench 41. Feed at the speed nature intended 43. Using a solid fumigant for rabbit control 45. Pest control season is here Plan365 Forage and Arable 47. Give docks the boot this season 48. Optimising your vineyard’s performance throughout the season

SPECIAL OFFERS AND INFORMATION FOR

FARMLANDS SHAREHOLDERS

51. Smarter spraying for optimal results this spring

AUGUST 2020

Valid from

1 — 31 August 2020

The FARMLANDER FEED TODAY FOR TOMORROW

53. Checking forage crops for nitrogen ON THE COVER Waihau farmer Erin Train has had to think outside the box to keep her sheep through this year’s drought. After researching solutions and consulting fellow farmers, Erin changed up her feed strategy – with positive results. Find out more on page 6.

PAGES 6

SEEKING THREE

Plan365 Rural Infrastructure 54. Maintaining farm culvert pipes 55. Keep moving with well-designed fencing tools 57. Insulated fencing an innovative solution 59. Keep your machines running smoothly

NEW DIRECTORS PAGES 19

RESPECT FOR RURAL AUDIENCES PAGES 4

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

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

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

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FARMLANDS STAFF PROFILE Rhys Hellyer

FROM THE CEO Welcome to the August edition of The Farmlander.

Sales Manager, Eastern North Island

Q: What do you enjoy most about your role? A: Dealing with farmers – they're such good buggers! I’ve worked in the primary sector all my life and it’s a great industry. Q: What is your go-to takeaway food? A: Probably Indian curries… I love a good beef saagwala.

This has been a year of adaptability and resilience for us all. We have been open with shareholders about the need for change for our co-operative, to make sure we are delivering the benefits our shareholders expect of us.

Q: Is there a local destination that you’ve always wanted to visit but haven’t? A: I’m keen to get to the West Coast of the South Island. I’ve seen most places, either through work or on holiday, but I haven’t made it there.

Over the past month, we have been working through some of these changes with our people. We are preparing to revise our structure to focus on four key areas:

Q: What do you do in your spare time? A: Fishing! I love it and I also fit in a bit of hunting when I can.

• Ensure we are providing goods and services at quality and cost that reflects our scale and relevance to the New Zealand primary sector.

Q: It's been tough farming in the Hawke’s Bay over the last 6–8 months – have you got any strategies to help shareholders cope? A: We’ve focused on being proactive in our contact and taking the time to sit down with customers to have a proper chat. We don’t always have to be selling, sometimes we just need to listen and see whether we can help. We also work closely with the Rural Support Trust as if we can’t help, there is a good chance they can. Q: What has the drought taught you? A: I’ve learnt to really listen to my staff as I can’t see all shareholders myself. We just see the body condition of stock but we can never guess what is actually going on in people’s lives and the huge pressure they put on themselves. We’ve prioritised making sure our farmers get through it in as good a headspace and financial situation as possible. Q: Have there been any unexpected outcomes in that time? A: The last year has emphasised to me how good the primary sector is to work in. Donations have come in from regions that aren’t as affected by the drought and it’s been a real case of farmers helping farmers.

Rhys's Beef Rump & Creamy Pesto Sauce

Method 1. Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan forced).

Ingredients • ½ cauliflower • 2 carrots • 1 bag baby spinach leaves • 4 peeled potatoes • 80g butter • ½ cup milk • ½ tsp salt • Olive oil • Beef rump • 150ml pure cream • 50g basil pesto

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2. P lace chopped cauliflower and carrot on oven tray. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and roast until tender. When veggies are done, add baby spinach and toss until slightly wilted. 3. W hile roasting, boil the potatoes until soft then drain. Add butter, milk, salt and mash well. Keep warm. 4. I n a large frying pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil. Season the beef rump with salt and pepper and add to the pan, turning until cooked to your liking. Transfer to a plate to rest. 5. W ipe out the pan and return to a medium heat. Add the cream and basil pesto, stirring to combine. Cook until thickened, scraping any bits off the bottom. Stir through any juices from the resting beef and season. 6. S lice the steak and serve with the mash and veggies. Spoon over the creamy pesto sauce and you’re good to go!

• Harness the Braveheart platform to drive the efficiency and effectiveness that will deliver the best experience possible for our shareholders and suppliers. • E arn and reward the loyalty and trust of our shareholders. • P rovide independence and thought leadership inside the farm gate. Delivering in these four key areas will help us achieve our ‘why’ – Grow shareholder success. Our ambition is to harness our co-operative spirit to be first for New Zealand food and fibre inputs. To do this, we need to be better at delivering the best customer experience, being your trusted partner and becoming a more insightsled organisation. Our values remain unchanged, as does the organising idea that shapes who we are – Together Stronger. It’s a message that resulted in the formation of our business more than half a century ago. It continues to drive us forward, together with more than 70,000 New Zealand farmers and growers. Uncertainty has dominated this year. Farmlands wants to be the business that provides you with the information and offers you need to navigate this uncertainty. You need a strong, resilient co-operative to join you on this new era for the primary sector. The reality is to get better outcomes for you, we need to adjust, respond, initiate and be proactive. This has been a driver of our historic success and it will continue to do so, as we head into an exciting, albeit not without its challenges, future.

Peter Reidie Chief Executive Officer Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited

THE FARMLANDER | 3

5 minutes with Sarah Perriam Creative Director, Perriam Media; TV and Radio Host of Sarah’s Country. You’ve been a regular feature of New Zealand’s rural media for many years. How did Sarah’s Country come about? I have been involved in rural media for over a decade now in all facets – from TV to radio, both behind and in front of the camera – starting with Country TV and most recently with MediaWorks RadioLIVE and The AM Show. While I learnt and loved so much during my chapter living in Auckland and working with the talented people at Newshub, I had a burning desire to do rural broadcasting differently than it had been done in the past. I have always respected Dean Williamson and Farmers Weekly for its in-depth journalism that leads the conversation. We also share a deep respect for the audience, which I feel has been lost over the years to

the interest of sponsored content over editorial integrity. I wanted to provide broadcast journalism that is more meaningful to farmers. Sarah's Country started in January 2020 as a weekly podcast, and when lockdown happened, we pivoted within days to a daily live evening show – just me and my producer Joel! What makes Sarah’s Country different to other rural media? Rural media has traditionally struggled to achieve respect internally and get good timeslots within the major networks, as it's deemed niche content regardless of it being the backbone of our economy. Broadcasting live from 7pm Monday – Thursday via 15 different social media accounts means we can deliver prime-time TV that farmers are watching on their smart TVs via YouTube; it’s the same quality as if they’re watching Seven Sharp, yet the audience can interact live with the show by asking questions of industry leaders. Sarah's Country is me bringing together 10 years of production skills, my broadcast skills and passion for

I was broadcasting content to farmers in 2012 through social media and we were told we were mad, that farmers don't watch video on the internet – which I knew was so wrong and I proved it.”

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the industry, along with the resource of Farmers Weekly’s newsroom of 26 agricultural journalists and analysts. You have gone the unconventional route with Sarah’s Country, steering clear of more traditional channels – is our rural audience ready for more regular online content? Not necessarily steering clear – there are plans in motion for being everywhere – it’s called a 'syndicated programme'! In the weekend we broadcast a highlights show on three local radio stations across New Zealand, as well as online. I was broadcasting content to farmers in 2012 through social media and we were told we were mad, that farmers don't watch video on the internet – which I knew was so wrong and I proved it then and I'm continuing to prove it now, regardless of age and internet connection. I have a bunch of over 75-year-olds that watch every day! The biggest problem I believe facing major media networks and the longevity of their current business model, is that they have been built around owning the platforms they distribute on. For me, my business is about being a content producer and winning the distribution game means being everywhere and all things to all people. The reason for that is people like to consume media differently: whether video, audio or written; some like too short, some like too long; some on Instagram and others on LinkedIn.

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FARMLANDS 5 MINUTES

To make the biggest impact for our food and fibre sector to learn, implement changes and grow, we have a deep strategy with a long-term vision for this brand – as should our farming sector. Heading into spring, what are the major themes you are noticing amongst your guests? We have a major event happening in September, the outcome of which is crucial for the anxiety of the farming sector, and it's not lambing percentages or calving troubles. The 2020 election is of major focus – holding this current government to account as they realise the consequences of their policy decisions on the industry that, post-COVID, they are relying on the most to 'bring home the bacon'. I'd love to see us start to sit around the table on issues and unpack some solutions together. My style of broadcasting is one of open hearts and open minds, on the matters that matter most to farming food and fibre. There are some exciting developments we have in the pipeline on Sarah's Country that I think our growing audience is going to love! How has the cancellation and postponement of events due to COVID-19 affected our primary sector? Is there an opportunity for digital platforms, such as Sarah’s Country, to bridge the gap? In many ways, the COVID lockdown was the best thing that could have happened to many businesses as it exposed the vulnerable business models, shook up the status-quo thinking, put taking new risks on a pedestal, and leaned

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For me, my business is about being a content producer and winning the distribution game means being everywhere and all things to all people.” on the comfort zones of many to use video conferencing. For Sarah's Country, it meant that within a month every guest I wanted to get in the studio (physically or on the phone) was now in their own mini film studio at their house. We had to produce the show in such a short amount of time and with little resource. Industry leaders are now having deep interaction with their stakeholders because of benefits that were previously curtailed by events or meetings. There's always been opportunity for broadcasting on digital platforms such as Facebook and YouTube – they are the biggest media networks – the gatekeepers of traditional TV and radio are well and truly gone. What are your goals for Sarah’s Country over the next 12 months? I'm an overly ambitious human being and that will never change! I have huge aspirations to be an ambassador for the food and fibre sector of New Zealand in many ways and the team that is coming around Sarah's Country is very exciting. I’m building with the most talented people in the

media industry around this vision I have which is to connect curious consumers with passionate producers. I know I have a long career ahead of me and I'm looking forward to sharing the journey with people that also care deeply for our sector and the consumer. Sarah's Country is a daily live show broadcast from 7pm Monday – Thursday in alliance with Farmers Weekly. Find it on www.farmersweekly.co.nz, www.sarahperriam.com, Radio Central, Coast FM and CFM Coromandel, or via all podcast apps.

THE FARMLANDER | 5

The need for feed Water – specifically the lack of it – has dominated plenty of conversations in 2020. The Farmlander spoke with Waihau farmer Erin Train about how thinking outside the box on supplementary feeding helped keep her going through this year’s drought.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

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THE FARMLANDER | 7

| Waihau farmer Erin Train (right) with her three sons: Ed, Sam and Max.

Less than an hour away from Hawke’s Bay’s twin cities is the farming community of Waihau. The population is sparse and for a decent chunk of this year, water has been even harder to come by. It is a place Erin Train calls home. She is the second generation on the farm, after her father-in-law purchased the 338ha property at the end of 1954. While the ratios have changed over the years, it has remained a sheep and beef operation for the past 65 years.

Erin laments that farmers traditionally talk to their spouses with issues on the farm and Pete was proactive in moving with changes to ensure good pricing was secured early. Options began to dry up for Erin and even the options remaining fell through due to her good nature – giving up her spot at the freezing works to a farmer in a more dire situation.

“When my father-in-law arrived, he had to break a lot of it in. It’s a stunning farm now but I’m reaping the benefits of decades of hard work,” Erin says.

“I talked to the stock agent and said if you’ve got a desperate farmer who’s in the poo, let them have the spot,” she says. “In hindsight it was still the right thing to do, because there were a lot of farmers in a worse situation. That situation got made worse by COVID-19 and the options for bailing out just weren’t there.”

“It was probably more weighted towards sheep back then, with more of a focus on wool. I’ve been on the scene since 2000 and it’s been sheep and beef in my time.”

Rather than selling, the focus switched to finding feed for the stock. A silage pit that had not been used for years was utilised, followed by the addition of a newer one.

Erin farmed the property with her husband Pete, who sadly passed away 7 years ago. She now runs the property with their three sons – Ed (16), Max (14) and Sam (12) – with support from family, friends and her neighbours, including stockman Wayne Purvis.

“The year Pete died we supposedly had our worst drought in 70 years and we recovered a silage pit that hadn’t been used for 12 years, the quality of which was superb,” she says. “I remember when we were last cutting silage and it was a typical Hawke’s Bay day – 34 degrees and a westerly. The chopper cutting it broke down and I was running around like a headless chicken.

Life has changed dramatically but Erin has found the right formula to keep her business ticking over. Then the big dry set in.

“It was not great quality – pretty dry and pretty average.”

“We probably got this later than a lot of people in Hawke’s Bay – we had one day where we had 57ml of rain in January and 5ml 4 days later. That was pretty much our saving grace at the start,” Erin says. “Even at the start of tupping we were in a pinch but we scanned not much lower than last year.

Erin admits she was reluctant to use silage. She decided early on to use the silage exclusively for the heifers, while remaining reluctant to feed it to anything in-calf or in-lamb. That meant finding an alternative for her sheep and continuing to look at the weather forecast for any respite.

“It may have hit us later but the flip side is I probably got caught out worse. I had the ‘she’ll be right, it will rain next week’ mentality and by the time we were really in the crap, the sale yards had dried up and the meat works were limiting shifts.”

“I would be laying in bed at 11.30 at night, looking at my phone for the weather forecast. We weren’t as dire as a lot of people were, so our options were there a little bit longer. They were just running out,” she says.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

“It’s a bit hard to always bank on your long-term rain. What was really demoralising and added pressure this time around was the short-term stuff that just wasn’t coming. Everything was coming from the west, breaking up and going around you. That was a lot of stress.” With the weather not playing ball, Erin took control of the situation herself – during her research she discovered sheep nuts as a supplementary feeding option. The Waihau community has always been a good sounding board, so Erin turned to them for advice. “We’ve got a fantastic neighbour who’s a really good go-to – he’s really supportive and really good to talk to. When I said to him that I’m thinking about feeding sheep nuts – he said to do it.” A few phone calls and some technical guidance later, within 3 days Erin had 12 tonne of sheep nuts delivered, along with a new feeder to accompany her side-by-side. “It sounds weird but that was a real highlight of the COVID-19 period. The first time I fed out the sheep nuts, I remember getting to the gate and I was smiling. I thought to myself that I couldn’t remember the last time I had smiled. I was finally doing something about what had been playing on my mind.” Taking a leap of faith on nutritional requirements for her stock gave Erin the confidence to make some other tough calls. Each year Erin has traditionally taken on Charolais weaner heifers and this year she decided she needed to put her existing stock first. “I think we get stressed to the point we don’t sleep at night but deep down, we ultimately know what we need to do,” she says. “Those Charolais weaner heifers – as much as I love the stock and dealing with the farmer that supplies them – I knew I couldn’t do it. But I really value that relationship.

| Erin discussed using sheep nuts with Australian farmers who use supplementary feed more regularly.

“That’s a lot of what farming is – valuing relationships – but you can’t buy everything. The stock agent was great and so was the farmer.” Erin acknowledges every farmer is different and there is a cost to supplementary feeding. She says they were fortunate to be in a position to take a punt. “I made the decision that the cost of not supplementary feeding was higher. On a per-head basis, particularly a twinning ewe, it wasn’t that much,” she says. “For me mentally – getting that feed was invaluable for my stress levels. That weight was lifted; it gives you an option so that you can get ahead. Even when you’re not going backwards, you’ve still got that option. Erin’s local ram supplier, Matt Holden, organised a Zoom video meeting with Australian farmers who used supplementary feeding to combat their dry environment.

| Erin's farm is looking greener now, having struggled through drought in the first half of 2020.

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Listening to Australian farmers where supplementary feeding was the norm allowed Erin to change her thinking on the practice. She says their mindset of ‘feed first and not feeding second’ made it easier to bite the bullet and get on with it.

THE FARMLANDER | 9

The first time I fed out the sheep nuts, I remember getting to the gate and I was smiling."

They also discussed feeding out after set stocking, something New Zealand farmers traditionally are reluctant to do due to the risk of mis-mothering. The Aussies stated that while the normal benchmark is your lambing percentage, in a drought it is ewe survivability.

“Mentally, the constant pressure and stress is our biggest challenge to cope with. One night as I was battling with it, I thought of the boys who were finally off their devices and blissfully asleep. It helps me reset my priorities and drive, as the boys are singularly the most important thing in my life."

“We have all got something that we love to do on the farm. I love to put a prime, grass-fed lamb on the truck,” Erin says. “We all set our aims and we aspire to them.”

Erin believes that, whatever people do, they have their problems and shared experience helps.

“We’re in an industry where pretty much everything is out of our control and while we have those aims, we have to change our thinking sometimes. “Farmers are their own worst critics and we can start by making it easier on ourselves. Some years you’re just up against it and our usual benchmarks are just not realistic. I’ve just sold store lambs – which I hate doing – I hate not finishing stock. But I did the best I could and that’s where we’re at.” "The other major saviour during the tough times, both physically and mentally, was having the boys at home,” Erin says. “We are lucky to have such capable and hardworking kids.” They not only helped with the feeding out, stock and autumn shearing but did a great job of the cooking and dishes too – even if Erin admits, the odd meal was a bit minimalistic.

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“Farming is the life I choose. I don’t care about the Queen Street lawyer’s problem – I don’t care that his car park cost has gone up 300 percent. I care about other farmers and how they are affected and when the times are tough, they are the best sounding board.” A mindset change is, as always, supported by the local community. Neighbours check in on each other and share ideas – a couple of other Waihau farmers have jumped on the bandwagon of supplementary feeding via sheep nuts. Erin plans to continue using sheep nuts to preserve set covers during the winter months and has stocked up accordingly. Even in a good year, winter is a tricky time to manage a farm. “I’m thankful I’ve got enough nuts to get me through. Now, onto the next stressful phase – lambing.”

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THE FARMLANDER | 11

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CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

Partnership to support science-led solutions A landmark agreement has been signed between Farmlands Cooperative, AgResearch and Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research. The partnership aims to effect change within the food and fibre sector via their combined strengths and across a series of projects. On 19th June, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Farmlands Chief Executive Officer Peter Reidie, AgResearch Acting Chief Executive Tony Hickmott and Manaaki Whenua Chief Executive Officer Richard Gordon. “As the largest farmer-owned rural supplies co-operative in New Zealand our focus is on providing shareholders with expertise when they need it. That is why we’re delighted to team up with two of our country’s leading names in agricultural and environmental science, innovation and land management," Peter Reidie says.

| A landmark MoU has been signed by Manaaki Whenua Chief Executive Officer Richard Gordon, Farmlands Chief Executive Officer Peter Reidie and AgResearch Acting Chief Executive Tony Hickmott.

“The partnership helps connect the science with farmers, for mutual benefit. It will help to make sure we are conducting the right science so that farmers get the information they need to be competitive and sustainable,” Richard says.

is critical to the growth and prosperity

demands,” he says.

“This is a great opportunity to leverage our combined strengths and provide Farmlands’ 70,000-plus shareholders with science-led solutions,” Tony says.

Key outputs will fall within the cultural _ principles of Te Ao Maori and the partnership will come to life via a series of projects. With support from Our Land and Water National Science Challenge, the first collaboration between the trio is the ‘How to Enact Environmental Change’ research project which will take place this year and include a stakeholder workshop.

Manaaki Whenua Chief Executive Officer Richard Gordon agrees.

Peter says COVID-19 reminded New Zealand that agricultural industry

“By collaborating, we are in an even stronger position to understand the present and future concerns of farmers and growers on a national scale, and to act on improvements.” AgResearch Acting Chief Executive Tony Hickmott says the partnership’s value will lie in its enduring impact.

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of the nation. “There are still changes for us to navigate, challenges for us to solve and ways we can do better. This partnership is a bridge to enable us to continue to be great at farming, in a way the world The Farmlands CEO says that engaging with shareholders, primary sector _ partners and Maori will be central to the work. It is expected the projects will help farmers to better assess possible land-use changes and develop mitigation and adaptation strategies. Stay abreast of co-operative news at www.farmlands.co.nz/news or www.facebook.com/farmlandsnz

THE FARMLANDER | 13

DAVE’S IN THE DRAW.

WAYNE’S MISSING OUT.

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14 | THE FARMLANDER

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CO-OPERATIVE VOICE

The beauty of the Farmlands Card As far as payment systems go, the Farmlands Card is unique. While a standard credit card is able to be used anywhere in the world for real-time transactions, the beauty of the Farmlands Card lies in its exclusivity. Within a qualified network, the Farmlands Card can align with businesses who uphold the values of Farmlands and support our shareholder base. The closed nature of the Card also means rebates are an option, holding to the exclusive nature of the programme as the ultimate loyalty club for over 7,000 Card Partners — only one sign up is necessary! While our system is currently working well, we think we can do better and go bigger. If we learnt anything from the COVID-19 lockdown, the ability to shop online was a lifesaver for many. Connectivity is expanding and those who do not keep up will fall by the wayside. E-commerce is becoming the biggest channel for personal trade around the world, with many businesses trading more online than through brick-and-mortar stores. Accessing this convenience while still keeping the exclusivity of the

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Farmlands Card is the challenge we face now. It is a challenge that we have embraced, and online use of the Farmlands Card is getting closer and closer. Farmlands is aligning with external e-commerce platforms to enhance the functionality and security of the Card online and we are working with our Card Partners to ensure all the technology lines up. It’s amazing how much goes into the e-commerce infrastructure. Each Card Partner needs to implement bespoke changes to their system to be able to accept Farmlands Card online – when we go online it will not be with every Partner straight away. While this does stretch out the timeframe of release, it maintains the selective group of Partners Farmlands works with. As most farmers know, good things take time! The opportunity to go online in the not-too-distant future is very exciting, it gives the Farmlands Card the chance to connect with a new breed of Partner who trade exclusively online, as well as delivering more products to more places, without shareholders having to travel into stores.

| Farmlands GM - Card, Jess Strange

We want to thank shareholders for supporting the Card through purchasing with Farmlands and our Partners. You have made this happen, and while we can’t give you the finer details yet, just know e-commerce is coming and in a big way. Your co-operative is a little different and change takes time, but we are here for the future. Thought leadership from General Manager Farmlands Card, Jess Strange.

THE FARMLANDER | 15

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CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

Call for Director Election nominations Farmlands is accepting applications for the 2020 Director Elections from 6th – 28th August. This year, three Shareholder Director positions are contestable – two in the North Island and one in the South Island. To continue the re-alignment of the Board composition following the 2018 AGM, the North Island seats will have two different tenures – one for 3 years, the other for 2 years. Company Secretary, Catherine Walker says following the unanimous agreement from shareholders to change the composition of the Board, the past few years have required changes to the Director Election process. “In 2018 shareholders agreed to a change to the make-up of the Board, consisting of six Shareholder Directors – three from each Island – and three Independent Directors,” Catherine says. “The shorter 2-year tenure for one North Island Shareholder Director seat will help us adjust so every year one Shareholder Director seat in each Island retires by rotation. The South Island has also had a similar change, in that the contested seat this year has had its term reduced from 3 to 2 years to bring it into line.” In the North Island, Dr Warren Parker retires by rotation and is seeking re-election. The second seat has become available following Nikki Davies-Colley’s decision to step down from the Board of Directors. Nikki is the last remaining inaugural Director of Farmlands Co-operative, following the merger of Farmlands Trading Society and CRT Co-operative in 2013.

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| Nikki Davies-Colley, the longest serving member of the Farmlands Co-operative Board, is not seeking re-election this year.

In the South Island, Rob Hewett retires by rotation and is seeking re-election. Catherine says to accommodate the unique situation, the following rules will apply for this year’s election: • In the South Island, the candidate with the highest number of votes will join the Farmlands Board for a 3-year tenure. • I n the North Island, the two candidates with the highest number of votes will join the Farmlands Board. The candidate with the highest number of votes will join the Board for the 3-year tenure, while the second-most votes will join for 2 years. All shareholders with voting rights (a minimum of 500 shares) are encouraged to vote in this year’s Director Elections. Catherine says the co-operative has a goal of transitioning to a full electronic voting process in the future.

“Our desire is to save the co-operative – and its shareholders – money by shifting to online voting,” she says. “To achieve this, we need to have email addresses associated to our Shareholder Accounts. I encourage all of our shareholders to ensure we have their email address recorded with Farmlands, to make the voting process easier and more cost-effective moving forward.” Shareholders interested in putting their names forward for the 2020 Director Elections can download an information pack at www.farmlands.co.nz. To register your email address for electronic voting, email update@farmlands.co.nz with your Account Number and ‘Director Elections’ in the subject line.

THE FARMLANDER | 17

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Learning in the flow of life Working and learning go hand-inhand, especially behind the farm gate. As technology continues to develop, learning is moving from the classroom to a phone and evolving at pace. Farmlands is working with Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) to take digital learning out into the paddock. Technical support is enabling digital connectivity across the country. With the Rural Connectivity Group recently implementing their 100th site under the Rural Broadband Initiative and with more to come, it is becoming easier to communicate and access information on-farm. Heightened connectivity is something that B+LNZ values. Implemented 3 years ago with the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP), the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub has grown from strength to strength. The site now offers podcasts, videos, learning modules and fact sheets that are available to farmers at any time. B+LNZ General Manager of Farming Excellence, Dan Brier says that B+LNZ prides itself on the ability to discover information and get it into the hands of farmers. “The important thing about being online is that people can access the information when it suits them. A big chunk of farmers don’t necessarily want to go off-farm for a field day but still need to connect to that learning material,” Dan enthuses. The Knowledge Hub content is driven primarily by the seasonal farming calendar and by issues that farmers are currently dealing with. The learning modules are serviced regularly to ensure they are up to date with what

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farmers are asking about and are often driven by B+LNZ's Farmer Councils in each region. “Each Council has their own farmer extension plans. For example, they might have an accountant speaking to a specific group of farmers about cash-flow problems in a drought, but we can harness that audio and offer it to the rest of the country as a podcast or a factsheet. Our aim is to have each piece of information in several formats so people can find the ones that suit them. “There are lots of different ways to unpack knowledge. We will keep building the site to help farmers prepare for new things that come their way. Developments in environmental regulations are very important to farmers right now, so our content is centred around helping with environmental plans and understanding the policies,” Dan says. For Farmlands Nutritionist and Kellogg Rural Leadership scholar Stacey Cosnett, learning needs to be done "in the flow of life" - which involves upskilling Farmlands staff to upskill farmers.* Picking up the phone to a Technical Field Officer, Technical Advisor or Nutritionist is a direct way to get personalised advice but easy-access information comes in varied forms – such as the videos on calf-rearing that Stacey has developed and released via NRM’s Facebook page to answer shareholder questions. Stacey has been a key figure in developing Farmlands' digital learning content. “Farmlands is in the early days of external digital learning, but a lot will happen in the next couple of years.

| Learning is now available where and when it is needed, no classroom required.

For now, developing staff knowledge is so important. Expertise can back up products and gives farmers confidence that what they are being recommended measures up,” Stacey says. The co-operative’s partnership with B+LNZ means that the Knowledge Hub has been integrated into Farmlands’ Centre of Learning, an online base for staff training content. The Centre of Learning holds a variety of training which, along with its own organisational knowledge database, puts Farmlands staff on the front foot when passing on advice to shareholders. To access these resources visit: https://beeflambnz.com/ knowledge-hub and www.facebook.com/nrmfeed * "Learning in the flow of work" is a phrase pioneered by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in the 1970s and has recently been revived by Jo Bersin. It views everything we do at work as some form of learning. For many, farming is more than work so the term can be translated to "learning in the flow of life".

THE FARMLANDER | 19

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TECHNICAL ADVICE

Easy access to the latest crop health details Farmlands GrowGuide, the one-stop app containing crop health tools and product information, has released a raft of new data in time for spring. GrowGuide is the only smartphone app of its kind in New Zealand. As a cloudcentred database it is automatically updated with new releases of crop information. In November this included chemical and fertiliser product details, and was followed up by a grape health programme in February. The latest update features kiwifruit and apple health programmes.

The app provides: • Details of new seed varieties (with 200-plus pasture and forage cultivars), weed and pest identification as well as a sowing-mix calculator. • More than 320 crop protection and fertiliser products to compare along with safety information on chemical use. • Soil management guidance. Apple and kiwifruit programmes have been added Farmlands General Manager Horticulture, Mark Daniels says that as a comprehensive source of crop input information, the GrowGuide app makes it easier for growers to access all the information they need in one place. “Leading into the new season we wanted to equip orchardists and viticulturalists with these new tools,” he says. “The latest apple and kiwifruit crop health programme release is the result of months of work and checking by our Technical Specialists. Everything is linked on your phone, so we expect it will better support growers’ decision making and save them time and money.”

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For example, the apple health programme includes details of product pre-harvest intervals for each importing country. “Like the grape data, these two new programmes are driven off the user’s selection of growth stage, and the pest or disease concerned. With a drill through to all product information, product labels and safety data sheets, this is a unique and innovative tool. It provides all the information at your fingertips,” Mark says. In addition, growers have the option of building their own crop health programme which, once completed, is then emailed to the user. The GrowGuide app also operates without internet coverage* and has a built-in form which allows users to quickly and easily send Farmlands an order enquiry. *Internet coverage is required when syncing new information or when product information is pulled from the database.

The Farmlands GrowGuide can be downloaded free from both the Apple and Google Play stores.

THE FARMLANDER | 21

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HEALTH AND SAFETY

Key factors see accidents rise in spring There is never a quiet period in farming but as New Zealand heads into spring, activity really starts to ramp up on farm. “Unfortunately, spring also sees the start of a significant spike in the number of different types of workplace injuries in the sector,” Agriculture Lead for WorkSafe New Zealand, Al McCone says. “That includes accidents involving animals, and those with vehicles involved which can lead to some of the most serious injuries or fatalities.” WorkSafe farm figures show: • August to October has the highest number of ACC claims for people being hit or bitten by an animal. • O ctober has the highest rate of incidents involving vehicles. • V ehicle-related claims start to rise in August and continue at high levels throughout spring and early summer. Vehicles and machinery are a factor in almost all fatal accidents on farms and should be regarded as a critical risk at all times. “Factors like weather conditions, the demands of calving and then of lambing, clearly contribute to this rise in accidents,” Al says. “In almost every workplace injury or death we investigate on farm, the accident which has led to an often tragic or life-changing incident is avoidable.” Al says that farmers should identify the risks on their farm and have a plan to manage them – which is communicated to anyone who needs to know,

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including workers, contractors, all residents and visitors. “Managing risk on a farm is not static because the risks and the conditions can change by the season, day and hour,” he says. “The farm vehicle you or one of your team used to travel a path or access a sloping paddock yesterday, may not be the best option for the same location after overnight rain.” Many serious accidents happen to farmers and farm workers doing ‘routine’ tasks they have done many times before. “Farm environments can change quickly. Even if you have driven that route in that vehicle in wet weather before, it doesn’t mean it is safe for you or others to do so today. Similarly, just because you have tackled a job involving a large animal in a certain way many times, it doesn’t mean it is the safest approach on this occasion. “The only good way to manage risk is to assess every task on its merits, before you start, every time.”

Taking a few moments to think through the risks and the best ways to manage those or to talk through them with the person who is due to do the job can pay off. “Ask yourself, what will be the best route to take, the best tools or vehicle to use and how many people will be needed to do it safely? “If you have concerns that, because of circumstances, conditions or staff numbers, there may still be risk – then can it be delayed? Your most powerful health and safety process on farm is that thought process and how you communicate that to others,” Al advises. “An effective health and safety culture involves everyday conversations, helps lift farm performance and shows you value your staff.” For more information on making your farm a safer place to live and work download the free Safer Farms ‘Keep Safe Keep Farming’ toolkit at worksafe.govt.nz

THE FARMLANDER | 23

SUPPORTING TOMORROW’S RURAL LEADERS APPLY NOW FOR A $2,000 STUDY GRANT The Tom Cranswick Memorial Award offers five under-25s financial support to assist their tertiary study in the primary sector. APPLICATIONS are open to shareholders and the children of shareholders, who have completed at least ONE YEAR of tertiary study related to the rural/primary sector and intend to continue their course of study in these sectors next year. The grants will enable students to further their knowledge and experience, helping them achieve more in their chosen careers to give back to the primary sector.

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24 | THE FARMLANDER

The Memorial Award is in honour of Tom Cranswick, a founding Farmlands Director and 20-year Chairman, whose passion and dedication helped establish Farmlands. The Cranswick family has been hugely supportive of Farmlands and it is an honour to offer this award in his memory. Award applications close 31st August 2020. For more information and to register, please visit www.farmlands.co.nz/tomcranswick

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CO-OPERATIVE EXPERTISE

Equine expertise born out of experience The Farmlander readers will have noticed the regular articles written by our very own Equine Nutritionist, Luisa Wood. We chatted with her in time for "Horses' Birthday" on 1st August.

Helping products get made

Luisa came to Farmlands 5 years ago and is an important part of the complete supplies-and-advice approach provided to equine shareholders.

in manufacturing processes such as

From pony club to global research Luisa began her equine nutrition career as a research intern for Kentucky Equine Research (KER) in 2009. “Working as an intern at their research farm in Kentucky is a great way to get a foot in the door through meeting the right people. It opened up many opportunities for me,” she says. Luisa then moved to Melbourne as a KER nutrition consultant. She has always had a keen interest in equine feeds and supplements. “All through pony club and working at studs and racing stables years ago, I was intrigued with what people put in their horses’ feed bins.” A string of academic achievements includes an Advanced Diploma in Equine Management and a master’s degree in Equine Nutrition from the University of Edinburgh, gained last year – with the support of NRM and McMillan Equine. “Most of my qualifications have been achieved while working full-time, which was very challenging at times but being passionate about the subject certainly helped,” she says.

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Luisa’s main role is to oversee the technical elements of the equine feeds made for Farmlands’ brands, NRM and McMillan Equine. This involves spending time at the mill, where she is involved formulations and quality control. “The development of feed products to target specific conditions unique to equine performance and breeding is one of the most rewarding parts of my job, especially seeing the effect they have on equine health in the market.” For example, in 2018 Luisa helped develop McMillan Muscle Relieve, a feed specifically designed for horses requiring a low-starch diet. This was produced in conjunction with KER and was released at the same time Luisa published her master’s thesis on Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (tying up) in racehorses and how horses with this condition are fed in New Zealand. “Muscle Relieve has been hugely beneficial in minimising the effects of this potentially painful condition in racehorses and sport horses.”

| Luisa Wood was always interested in what people put in their horses’ feed bins and has worked hard to turn this into a career.

On-farm consulting and problem solving for any equine animal is a significant part of Luisa’s role. She does this mainly by developing balanced, nutritionally correct diets. “Improving the health of horses through nutrition to enable them to breed, grow

A passionate professional

or perform to the best of their abilities is

This Horses’ Birthday Luisa will be

hugely motivating and one of the main

celebrating by attending a race meet

reasons I chose this career path.”

somewhere with friends or finding a horse to ride. As racing is in full swing and the performance horse season is just around the corner, Luisa advises that now is the perfect time for riders to ensure their horse’s diet is balanced and correct.

See Luisa’s advice on broodmare nutrition on page 27. Feed to succeed at www.nrm.co.nz

THE FARMLANDER | 25

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

Transitional broodmare nutrition The nutritional requirements of broodmares change throughout the stages of reproduction. It is important to adopt a flexible feeding programme to ensure nutrient requirements are being met at each phase. Reproduction can be separated into: • Early pregnancy, which is the first and second trimesters (0–7 months gestation) • Late pregnancy, which is the third trimester (7 months gestation through to foaling) • Lactation, which generally lasts for 5–6 months post foaling. In early pregnancy, the mare’s energy and nutritional requirements are similar to a maintenance phase. While it is tempting for owners to increase feed when they discover the mare is pregnant, the ‘eating for two’ rule does not apply unless the mare has a foal at foot and is lactating as well. Increasing feed at this time can often lead to weight gain and associated problems, especially if the mare is generally a ‘good doer’. At this stage of pregnancy, 1.5 percent body weight in forage and a

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balancer pellet, such as the new NRM Progress, is normally sufficient.

in energy, protein, calcium and

Energy requirements in the third trimester are about 15 percent greater than in early pregnancy, and protein, amino acid and mineral requirements also increase significantly. Foetal nutrient requirements exceed the mare’s maintenance requirements at this time and her diet must be adjusted accordingly. The most important nutrients for third-trimester horses are the trace minerals – zinc, manganese, iron, selenium and copper – as these are found at low levels in the mare’s milk. So, the foal needs to store these in the liver for the last 3 months of pregnancy, to compensate for the low levels they will be receiving once they are born. Regarding diet, 1.5 percent body weight in forage and a balancer pellet such as NRM Progress, or a well-fortified feed such as NRM Evolve or McMillan Broodmare, is ideal. Additional energy can be supplied in the form of grain or the high-fat stabilised rice bran KER Equi-Jewel, if needed for weight maintenance.

at a rate of 3 percent of their body

When the foal is born, the demands of lactation require large increases

phosphorous. Mares produce milk weight daily and weight loss will occur if their energy needs are not met. It is important not to underfeed in lactation and always provide adequate calories to prevent weight loss. In addition to increasing energy sources in the form of concentrates, lucerne hay provides extra energy over grass hay types, as well as being a source of protein and calcium. NRM Evolve or McMillan Broodmare are ideal for lactating mares. Additional grain or Equi-Jewel can also be included in the diet to increase calories if required. The overall goal of broodmare feeding should be to provide adequate energy to maintain optimum body condition while ensuring protein, vitamin and mineral requirements are appropriate for her stage in the reproductive cycle. For assistance with feeding plans for mares, from conception through to pregnancy and lactation, consult with an experienced equine nutrition advisor. Article supplied by Luisa Wood, Equine Nutritionist. Find out more about Luisa on page 25.

THE FARMLANDER | 27

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NUTRITION

Minimising changes in a stressful life Spring-born calves face so many stresses it is important to develop systems that do not leave them vulnerable. This includes minimising variability that can add to their challenges and avoiding nutritional change. From the pickup of newborn calves through to the last calf being milk fed, it all needs to be done as a wellconstructed process – especially this year, as feed for dry cows was tighter than usual, impacting on the health, size and vitality of calves. Stress on both stock and people typically begins to build as sheds fill to capacity. Just before the next lot of calves are due to arrive is a good time to stop and take 5 minutes. Reassess with your on-farm team and have a checklist of areas where things could be slipping or challenges arising – for example, several days of really cold and wet weather can impact newborn calves greatly. Discuss the hygiene and wellbeing of your people, calves, equipment and shed health. Topics could include:

• H ygiene – are trailers being cleaned every day and navels sprayed before entering the trailer and again upon shed arrival?

In my experience, one area that starts to show cracks is paying attention to each individual calf – often around the second and third weeks of the new season. As people get a bit tired and the novelty starts to fade, so too does the attention to detail at feeding time. As work pressure builds, things start to be rushed through and the poorer performing calves can start to struggle, as seen in growth rate decline. The fight for milk in an open trough feeding situation needs to be monitored and any slower feeders pulled out and grouped together. These are the calves most vulnerable to disease, the number of which can increase rapidly within the unit if they have not received the required level of nutrition to fully support their immune system.

• I f on a bull unit – are your new calf arrival checks being done e.g. naval and overall health checks?

Usually, when calves are fed for at least 21 days on compartment feeders and monitored as individuals, any slower

• Milk preparation – is it being measured out and mixed accurately? • If collecting colostrum – is that being done well for the best quality and quantity?

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drinking calves will get the correct amount of milk (and therefore energy) that they need. By week 21, they have often caught up with their higher performing peers in terms of growth and ‘suck’. For any calves that have been sick or are ill, having compartment feeders available will help you decide on electrolyte therapy, and will get them through the health challenge without losing too much of the daily weight gain that we all want from our calves. Minimising stresses and keeping every part of the rearing process well balanced, from start to finish, has the hugely satisfying result of healthy mobs with strong calves. For further information, contact your Nutrition Specialist or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Karen Fraser, NRM Technical Specialist.

THE FARMLANDER | 29

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NUTRITION

“Just like ewe’s colostrum” Texel sheep stud owner Elizabeth McEwan feeds her orphan lambs concentrated colostrum before rearing them on whey milk replacer. They also receive a daily dose of prebiotic for an extra boost.

stimulate the growth of the gut and fats are a direct fuel source. Maternal colostrum also includes anti-microbial components, such as lactoferrin which is important for the development of the immune system.

Some use ultra-filtration to achieve

The McEwans operate on 50 acres near Ashburton, where they run 200 breeding ewes and rear 20–30 orphan lambs annually.

the colostrum are compromised.

“The instructions were clear, and it was easy to mix. The mixed solution was lovely and thick, just like ewe’s colostrum,” Elizabeth says.

Launchpad18 colostrum powder is made from colostrum gold, sourced from cows in the first 24 hours after giving birth. It is pasteurised to preserve the activity of bioactive components then indirectly steam dried, resulting in a colostrum powder concentrated in both IgG (18 percent) and fat (minimum 18 percent), with superior solubility. It contains no additives and is not manipulated in any way, resulting in an excellent source of immunity and energy for a newborn animal.

Colostrum is the thick, creamy, yellow first secretion from a mother’s udder following birth. It is a complex fluid – rich in nutrients, antibodies and growth factors. Antibodies (IgG) provide passive immunity to the newborn animal. Growth factors especially

Many colostrum powders sacrifice fat for a high IgG percentage, or vice versa. This is because most manufacturing processes ‘de-fat’ the product to increase the IgG concentration. This strips out a direct fuel source for the newborn.

in one go, no problem. Then they

Last year, Elizabeth fed her lambs AgriVantage’s Launchpad18 colostrum powder, on the recommendation of AgriVantage South Island Business Manager Cheryl Farrar.

higher IgG concentration – risking the elimination of growth factors within the fat content. Where products are high in IgG but low in fat, there is a risk that the smaller, molecular-weighted aspects of In the case of low-IgG/high-fat colostrum powders, considerably more must be fed to achieve the same levels of immunity (g of IgG/animal) that comes with feeding Launchpad18. Just one feed of Launchpad18 delivers 10.8g IgG (immunity) to a lamb. “We fed Launchpad18 to all of our incoming lambs last year and I found it to be a fantastic product,” Elizabeth says. “They drank up the recommended 200mL feed went onto Sprayfo Primo Lamb. “Our lambs grew well and had plenty of energy – just like all lambs should! With the added daily boost of Biopect prebiotic, we saw a big reduction in vet bills too. “I am particular about my lambs,” Elizabeth concludes. “They are like

IgG 18% Protein 40% Lactose/other 24% Fat 18% Minimum | Always check the level of IgG in colostrum powder to ensure each animal receives at least 10g IgG at the recommended feeding rate.

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children to us and we pride ourselves on taking good care of them. I absolutely recommend AgriVantage products for optimal rearing.” For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by AgriVantage.

THE FARMLANDER | 31

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NUTRITION

Feeding for peak production and fertility In many regions—this year perhaps more than most—when feeding for peak lactation you need to have an eye on the mating season ahead. If conserved forage stocks are lower than normal and pastures are recovering from the drought, will forage supplies return to near-normal levels through mating and beyond, to support the production set by peak lactation? If supplementary feed is required in early lactation, higher levels and/or better quality may be required through mating. Establish a balance Cows losing condition between calving and first service have a dramatically lower conception rate at first service, so it makes sense to fill a feed deficit in early lactation. If a herd also has a history of Negative Energy Balance over mating, and the pasture supply or quality cannot be improved, one option is to simply take less from the cows

to try to establish a better balance. It still remains unclear if short periods of once-a-day (OAD) milking can improve reproduction. While milking OAD for 3 weeks or more carries the cost of longterm milk production, if focused on thin or young cows which would have struggled anyway, the overall effect may be positive. If you are going to do this, it may need to occur at least 1 month before the planned start of mating. Maintain energy intakes Increasing concentrate feeding rates over mating is a reliable way to help maintain energy intake at a time when pasture quality can fall. The analysis of records on over 3.7 million animals in New Zealand suggested that highproducing herds had slightly better fertility.1 In our country’s pastoral and seasonal dairy production systems, it is suggested that better management and improved heat detection rather than nutrition may result in higher

fertility in high-production herds. Higher milk production is not necessarily associated with poorer fertility. Scrutinise the statistics Extra feed in the shed e.g. increasing from 3 to 4 or 5kg/head/day, will be associated with some reduction in dry matter intake from pasture; this may be helpful if covers are falling. Some short-term studies have down-played the effect of a feed deficit at mating but be wary of trials that do not involve young or thin cows who would be at most risk from a short-term feed deficit. Statistically, fertility trials require large stock numbers to show a significant difference – it is easy to show if a treatment has created no significant reduction in fertility but you need large numbers to show a treatment has significantly improved fertility. Bank it early When production has been lost early on, higher levels of supplementary feeding could be considered to improve milk production post-mating. However, with the challenges of summer milk production, having more milk banked early in the season may be better than relying on the potential to increase production later on. For more information contact your NRM Nutrition Specialist or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Dr Rob Derrick, NRM Lead Nutritionist. 1 Craig, H. J. B, Stachowicz, K., Black, M., Parry, M., Burke, C. R., Meler, S. and Amer, P. R., (2018), Genotype by environment interactions in fertility traits in New Zealand dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 101:10991-11003.

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NUTRITION

Not all milk replacers are created equal Different brands of milk replacer are not simply exchangeable. There are essential differences in digestibility (absorption of nutrients), solubility and consistent quality – which have a major impact on the health and growth of young lambs. Poor-quality milk replacers, or those not made specifically for lambs, often cause problems like abomasal bloat and nutritional scours. Consistency, optimal digestibility and proven performance are key to the growing popularity of AgriVantage’s Sprayfo Primo Lamb whey milk replacer amongst lamb rearers nationwide. Canterbury-based Texel sheep stud owner Elizabeth McEwan says that once she reared lambs on Sprayfo, she never looked back. “Before we got onto this milk replacer, we lost multiple lambs to abomasal bloat. It was heart breaking,” she says. “Since we started using Sprayfo Primo Lamb [4 years ago], we haven’t lost a single one. I love it!” Sprayfo Primo Lamb is best suited for lambs due to how it is made. It’s a combination of whey and hydrolysed wheat protein. Proven to have better and safer digestive properties than other commonly used protein sources (such as soya), hydrolysed wheat protein assists in the reduction of abomasal bloat. Plus, it is safe to feed to very young lambs – directly after colostrum.

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Sprayfo milk replacers are processed through Trouw Nutrition’s patented Spray Dry system, which ensures absolute consistency and optimal digestibility, as well as solubility. During processing, the ingredients are pasteurised and high-pressure homogenised. Pasteurising sterilises the product, while homogenisation reduces the fat particles to 1/1,000 of their original size (very close to the size of milk particles). The product is subsequently dried through a high-tech spray drying process to form small particles of fat encapsulated with protein. It is easily digestible for the lambs and the most important ingredient for the animals’ growth (protein) is available first and absorbed faster. Spray drying ensures that solubility is optimal at 40ºC. Sprayfo Primo Lamb mixes without forming any small lumps and is used extensively in automatic feeding machines because it does not drop out of suspension, plus there is no fat build up in hoses and lines. Quickly digested, Sprayfo Primo Lamb encourages the early intake of concentrates for faster rumen development. Whey-based formulas move through the lamb in 2–3 hours, so they will seek out meal sooner and become functional ruminants more quickly. Another benefit is enhanced growth rates, particularly post-weaning.

| AgriVantage’s Cheryl Farrar checks in on the progress of the McEwan lambs through the rearing season.

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

THE FARMLANDER | 35

OUR PICKS

FOR A SUCCESSFUL SPRING

A new season is just around the corner so it’s the perfect time to drop into your local Farmlands store or visit the Farmlands Click and Collect site to get your hands on the products that’ll help you deliver your best spring yet.

FROM

219.00

289.00

SAVE FROM $242 .00

1036788

1005572, 1009944, 1005571

Iplex Farmtuff Culvert Pipe Made big for better flow and less blockage, these beauties are light, easy to transport and a breeze to install. They’re also compatible with a range of off-the-shelf fittings.

Nufarm Crucial Herbicide 15L For speedy knockdown and quick turnaround, Crucial is your go-to for annual and perennial weeds. Rainfast in 15 minutes, Crucial is tried and tested with the widest range of tank mix partners.

* Terms and Conditions apply. Pricing valid 1st — 31st August 2020. While stocks last. Pricing includes GST.

FAR_09789

Visit www.farmlands.co.nz or head to your local Farmlands store today and get set for spring! 36 | THE FARMLANDER

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189

.95

SAVE $70.00 1044358

Dunlop Snugboot Pioneer This boot does the business and more. It’s comfortable, chemical resistant, waterproof and energy absorbing. All the while keeping you warm and on your feet with its SRC certified slip resistance.

Milligans Classic Calf Milk Replacer 20kg Made from a nutritionally balanced blend of NZ milk products, Milligans Classic is specially formulated for calves from day-four and aids in the control of coccidiosis.

NRN Peck’n’Lay® Pellets 20kg A balanced diet is the key to good health and great eggs from your chooks. Peck’n’Lay does just that, with essential oils and organic acids to help support gut health, perfect for laying hens.

Ask in-store for tonne pricing

1002156

23.50

SAVE $3.00 1023203

94.96

1000791

ProFence Xtralife High Tensile Wire 2.5mm The wire of choice when building a conventional or electric fence, this New Zealand made product offers tangle free dispensing and delivers a more stock-proof fence than soft wire.

84.95

SAVE $14.99 1043460

69.95

1024415, 1024604

Deane Polycotton Zip Overalls When staying clean is not an option, Deane is the NZ standard for polycotton overalls. Pockets for days, elastic in back for a better fit and zip front closure, you’ll get it done in no time.

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MKM Men’s Technical Sweater Look good and keep warm with one of the best clothing products to come out of The Manawatu. This wool/poly blend will keep you working for longer and did we mention it’s 100% New Zealand made.

THE FARMLANDER | 37

S D N A R B Y T I L A QU R U O Y R FO S S E N I S U B

18V 6 Pce Combo Kit

00110328 Farmlands shareholder price

1600

INCLUDES GST

18V 9 Pce Brushless Combo Kit

00148479 Farmlands shareholder price

1879

INCLUDES GST

Farmlands shareholder price

18V 4 Pce Kit 08913567

Farmlands shareholder price

18V Brushless Combo Kit 00102111

1549

INCLUDES GST

920

INCLUDES GST

Farmlands shareholder price

18V 5 Pce Brushless Combo Kit 00119057

920

INCLUDES GST

Not all services and products featured are available in all stores, but may be ordered. See in store for product availability. All prices quoted are exclusive to Farmlands shareholders and include GST. Prices valid until Monday 31 August 2020 or while stocks last.

BNTR01463 August Farmlands.indd 1

22/06/20 1:28 PM

IS THIS NZ’S MOST VALUABLE CARD? YOU DECIDE. 38 | THE FARMLANDER

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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Post-calving drench Many North Island farmers will be in the thick of calving by now, with South Island dairy farmers just about to get into calving the main body of the herd. So this is a good time to discuss the potential benefits of anthelmintic treatment on heifers and cows as they start production for the upcoming season. Some research published in the early 2000s showed that despite reasonably low faecal egg counts, adult dairy cows could show a positive return on investment when treated with a topical drench*. This suggested that even though the worm burden of these animals was low to marginal, there was still a cost to the immune system in attempting to eradicate the parasites. In the trial, cows were treated around the time of calving, with some treated 1 month before or 2 months after calving. The farms all had evidence of Ostertagia, Cooperia and Trichostrongylus which are the three most common parasites of cattle and are recognised as having the greatest economic impact in New Zealand cattle. Mixed-age cows treated with the particular macrocyclic lactone pouron drench showed an increase in milk solids production of 0.03kgMS per cow per day. This was evenly split between increases in milk fat and milk protein and was effective across the length of lactation (247 days), leading to an increase in production of about 7.4kgMS per cow for the season. When an average dairy payout of approximately $6 per kgMS is factored in, this works out to be an extra $44 per cow per year. Not bad for an investment of $6 per cow.

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| Positive changes to your in-calf rate can have a big return on investment.

First-calved heifers enrolled in the trial did not show any change in milk production parameters but did show a change in reproductive performance – with treated heifers cycling earlier after calving, having higher conception rates to first insemination. The data suggested that in-calf rates were improved too. The trial found an 11 percent improvement in the in-calf rate of heifers; unfortunately, the number of animals in the trial did not allow this to be a significant result. A 1 percent change in the in-calf rate is roughly worth $1,000 per 100 cows according to the DairyNZ InCalf Calculator. The proviso to all of this information is

there should be an increased appetite as a result of removing parasites. Not all drenches are created equal. The above research was carried out on a product with persistent activity across a wide range of internal parasites of 2–4 weeks, whilst other ML pour-on drenches have a wide variety of claimed persistent activity. It is assumed that using any of the modern drenches is likely to provide some benefit although the other products have not been quantified. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

that the milking herd may need to be

* Effect of a peri-parturient Eprinomectin treatment of dairy cows on milk production.

fed more after treatment to see all of

McPherson et al (2001)

these potential benefits, particularly as

Article supplied by Donaghys.

THE FARMLANDER | 39

40 | THE FARMLANDER

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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Feed at the speed nature intended Regulating the flow of milk to calves has a profound impact on digestive health. A controlled flow of milk delivers health results such as good digestive function, increased immunity, improved lactose absorption and higher daily weight gain. For 29 years, Milk Bar Teats have been feeding calves in New Zealand and around the world. Now in an exciting innovation, the team at Milk Bar have developed new Drip Proof Technology (DPT). This is a breakthrough in teat manufacture as it reduces the impact of rubber variations for a smooth calffeeding season with no mid-season teat changes. Milk Bar Teats are made from 100 percent natural rubber, sourced from the best growers and harvested at selected times throughout the year. Rubber is influenced by changes in the environment, and Milk Bar does not use synthetic fillers so, despite rigorous batch testing, there can be some variations in durability throughout the season. That is why some teats last all season, and some do not.

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• Improving digestive function leads

In addition to Drip Proof Technology, calves will benefit from the health

to increased daily weight gains as

results that occur when calves feed at a

calves can utilise and uptake the

controlled speed.

nutrition more effectively. Weight gain is vital for replacement heifers.

• Milk Bar Teats do not have a valve

Studies have shown that every

and the unique design and premium

100g of pre-weaning average daily

rubber combine to deliver milk at the

gain (ADG) was associated with

right speed for the calf’s digestive

85–111.3kg more milk during the

system to function. The longer it

first lactation.*

takes a calf to drink a litre, the better it is for the digestive system. • The saliva produced from the

This season, calves will still enjoy all the health benefits associated with the

controlled milk flow and natural

controlled flow created by the Milk Bar

suckling has antimicrobial

Teat, while you can enjoy improved

properties that increase immunity.

functionality with the innovative Drip

• The regulated delivery of milk combined with high volumes of saliva allow the milk to curd and lactose to be absorbed from the abomasum. In fact, calves fed from Milk Bar Teats absorb four times* more lactose from the abomasum than calves fed from a ‘fast flow’ teat. Improving lactose absorption reduces the food source that

Proof Technology design. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. * Source: McInnes, R. (January 2015). Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition. ** Source: Soberon et al. (2012). ‘Pre-weaning ADG had a significant positive effect on first-lactation performance’. Article supplied by Milk Bar.

pathogens in the intestines utilise to multiply, this leads to a reduction in nutritional scours.

THE FARMLANDER | 41

www.montreux.co.nz/collections/farmlands-scotswood-range/

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FREE GIFT! With all customer orders you will receive a FREE Tasman Leather overnight bag valued at $585 - Go and explore our beautiful country!

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3 Seater Leather Sofa RRP $7950.00

Your Farmlands Shareholder Price $5950.00 Contact us for more details: 03 366 1109 // deborah@montreux.co.nz

Get your Dry Storage Ready for Winter with Hynds Storage Bunkers

Three sizes available, cost effective, and simple to construct!

Exclusive Farmlands discount of 5% applies August 1st - 31st 2020. All prices exclude transport and delivery costs unless otherwise stated. Ask in store for details. For full address details please see our website or phone us for your nearest store.

IS THIS NZâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MOST VALUABLE CARD? YOU DECIDE. 42 | THE FARMLANDER

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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Using a solid fumigant for rabbit control Rabbit numbers can escalate quickly and once established, their effects on the environment are real and costly. They impact soil erosion, native flora and fauna habitats, stock and horses (by competing for food or through risk of soil collapse). Many methods of control have been tried over the last 100 years – even introducing biological controls such as ferrets and stoats to curb pest numbers. The use of other biological controls such as RHDV (Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus), has been partially effective in certain areas but the risk of resistance is always a threat and many populations have recovered to pre-virus release levels. The fact that rabbits are still a national problem, escalating to alarming numbers in some rural and urban areas, indicates the failure of most endeavours to control them. Where control is achieved, it soon becomes obvious that sustained activity is required to prevent numbers from quickly recovering to pre-control levels in a very short space of time.

Most landowners with rabbit issues will have tried one or more control methods. The two overriding lessons quickly learned are that: to control rabbits there needs to be sustained activity, and there is no silver bullet. All weapons should be used and this includes shooting, Pindone Pellets in bait stations and Magtoxin.

• If a warren with multiple entrances is being treated, all entrances except two or three should be blocked before treating the remaining ones. To ensure that pellets breakdown into a gaseous form, damp paper can be placed in the burrow beside or under the pellets to ensure rapid and total effect.

Magtoxin, or magnesium phosphide, is a highly poisonous gas that is produced when water molecules from the soil and air react with Magtoxin pellets. Magtoxin is a solid fumigant and is easily used if correct procedures are followed. Pellets weigh approximately 0.6g and release 0.2g of magnesium phosphide gas. They are about 10mm in diameter and are packaged in resealable flasks containing either 1,660 or 166 pellets (depending on flask size).

• Instructions are clearly stated on the label but as a guide, 10 pellets (0.2g per pellet) of Magtoxin should be used for every cubic meter of burrow treated. Magtoxin should be used only by adults and extreme care should be taken, including reading and adhering to all instructions on the label before contemplating use.

It is best used for maximum effect when rabbits have been chased underground.

Another use for Magtoxin is for the

• If a burrow has a single entrance, several pellets should be placed in the burrow and the entrance blocked up with soil.

See the label for a list of full

treatment of pests in stored grain silos and sealable storage areas. instructions for this application. While a controlled substance licence is not required for the use and purchase of under 3kg of Magtoxin, there is a requirement for it to be purchased by competent personnel where the treatment area is their place of work. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Magtoxin is registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No. P3380. See www.foodsafety.govt.nz for registration conditions. Article supplied by Key Industries.

| Soil erosion, danger to stock and competition for grazing shown here in Roxborough

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THE FARMLANDER | 43

44 | THE FARMLANDER

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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Pest control season is here As the days start to lengthen and temperatures begin to increase, there seems to be a strong correlation with the quantity of rabbits about. For many, spring also signals the start of the pest control season. Over the years many attempts have been made to control rabbits via different types of introduced viruses, with varying degrees of short-term success. These furry little things keep finding a way to evolve and dodge the chemical bullet. One thing they are not so adept at doing though, is dodging the lead bullet. The shooting of rabbits can be done using a few different methods. The shotgun is a favourite with landholders as it is multi-purpose. The same firearm can be used for pest control and duck hunting, as well as shooting a few clay targets if you desire. The most common shotgun ammunition used for rabbit control is 12ga 36g #4. However, any shot size from #2 through to #6 will do the job, and lighter loads like 32g are also effective. As long as the shotgun is pointed in the right direction and not too far away, the rabbits will not fare well. The effective range of shotgun ammunition on small ground pests is only around 50m but you do not have to be pinpoint accurate, as the spread of the pellets out at 30–40m can give you a bit of leeway. Beyond this range you really need to resort to a rifle, with the most common type being the trusty old .22LR. This round is readily available across almost every brand, is very cheap and is also very effective at short-to-medium

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| There are several rifle and shotgun options available for rabbit hunters, depending on terrain, accuracy, distance and wind factors.

ranges – typically anywhere up to 150m at the outside. Winchester offer a large range – in 40g and the heavier hitting 42g Max – both available in the popular Subsonic or PowerPoint options. Once you go beyond 100m though the bullet will start to drop far more and shooter accuracy becomes critical, so results can be a little ‘hit and miss’ at these ranges.

okay on rabbits – providing you can

One of the obvious challenges with hunting rabbits is getting close enough, particularly when they start to become a bit twitchy around the noise of firearms and associated vehicles. Using a sound moderator is extremely useful and much better for your own hearing (although you should be wearing protection).

depending depending on the terrain

If you still cannot get closer than 100–150m, moving to the .17HMR is a good option. This little bullet packs a real punch and can be very accurate out beyond this range – even 250m is

take a steady shot using a reasonable quality scope. The one drawback on the .17HMR is wind; even though the bullet is travelling at twice the speed of the .22LR (Winchester’s 17g V-Max is travelling at a solid 2,550fps) it is small and light, and a slight breeze can affect its accuracy. So, a few choices are available, you have in front of you, and how good a shot you think you are. Whatever you choose, be safe out there. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Kilwell.

THE FARMLANDER | 45

WIN an Air New Zealand Deluxe Mystery Break up to the value of $750!* Buy a 15L drum of Nufarm CRUCIAL® and Amigo® or Pulse® Penetrant, and go in the draw to win.

*Terms & Conditions apply: Offer valid 1-31st August 2020 on valid purchases of 15L CRUCIAL and 1L or 5L Amigo, 5L or 20L Pulse Penetrant only. There will be one winner drawn by Farmlands by the 11th September 2020. The winner will be contacted via phone or email. For further terms and conditions see https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/air-new-zealandmystery-breaks ®Amigo & ®CRUCIAL are registered trademarks of Nufarm Australia Limited & Pulse is a registered trademark of Nufarm Technologies USA.

46 | THE FARMLANDER

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

Give docks the boot this season Productive grazing and persistent weeds like docks do not go together but docks remain a real issue for pastoral farmers in many parts of New Zealand. They are persistent and tough to eradicate once they take hold, as they have a large tap-root. Broad, flat leaves (up to 35cm long x 15cm wide) make the weed particularly effective at reducing pasture quality. Dock foliage contains tannins and while sheep will generally eat the leaves, cows find them unpalatable so this weed can become problematic on dairy farms. A single plant can produce up to 40,000 seeds every year. These can remain viable for many years, leading to the buildup of a heavy seed burden in the soil over time. Docks spread mainly by seed but plants also regenerate readily from root fragments. Flowering typically occurs from November to April.

| Dock weed is particularly effective at reducing pasture quality. Treatment can be via a single product or combination of herbicides.

growth occurs after Dockstar

For best results with the Dockstar/

application, losses in pasture

Baton 800WSG tank mix:

dry matter are lower than those

• Leave pasture for 2–3 weeks after

incurred with the use of traditional

• Apply before dock seed

which to date, have been one of the

Herbicide control options include Dockstar® on its own, where docks are the main weed species present; and Dockstar combined with Baton® 800WSG, where other broadleaf weeds also need to be controlled.

most popular dock herbicides.

Dockstar contains 390g/L asulam sodium salt as a soluble concentrate (SC), providing an easy-to-use liquid formulation.

In paddocks where control of other

Paul Addison, Nufarm Technical Specialist, says for best results Dockstar should be applied in early spring, prior to the emergence of a dock’s flowering stem.

(2L/ha), with Baton 800WSG herbicide

Published research indicates that while some suppression of pasture

suppression than Dockstar alone at the

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grazing before spraying

thifensulfuron-methyl formulations

heads have emerged • Do not add any adjuvants or

Paul says control is relatively slow, with

other product

peak control occurring 2 to 3 months

• Leave the pasture for at least 1–2

following treatment. Very large, well-established docks may require a follow-up application. broadleaf weeds as well as dock is required, farmers can now apply a tank mix using a lower rate of Dockstar at 2kg/ha. “This combination will provide good

weeks after spraying before grazing. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. ®

Dockstar is a registered Trademark of Nufarm Limited.

Baton 800WSG is a registered Trademark of Nufarm Australia Limited.

Article supplied by Nufarm.

control of dock and many other broadleaf weeds with less pasture full label rate,” Paul says.

THE FARMLANDER | 47

Optimising your vineyard’s performance throughout the season.

Weed and disease management in vineyards is critical for achieving

fungal and bacterial diseases that can badly impact grape yield, quality, flavour and marketability.

prevents the emergence of a wide

Nufarm offers a wide selection of these key inputs for growers, including some of the newest and most innovative chemistry on the market.

their seeds germinate.

healthy and productive.

Weed control

tall willow herb and stinging nettle.

Appropriate herbicide application

Chateau® is a recently launched pre-emergence herbicide which gives grape growers economic, longer-lasting vineyard weed control using different chemistry from knockdown herbicides. It contains 500g/kg flumioxazin, a Group E herbicide which provides effective control of a wide range of key weeds.

optimal vine performance and yield. In combination with recommended best practice cultural techniques, a range of crop protection inputs plays an important role in keeping crops clean,

eliminates weed competition for essential resources such as water and nutrients, thus helping crops achieve their full yield potential at harvest. It also has the added advantage of removing habitat for potentially costly insect pests and disease pathogens. Well-planned and implemented fungicide programmes protect vines and fruit from infection by

48 | THE FARMLANDER

Chateau forms a protective barrier on the soil surface which effectively

range of both grass and broadleaf annual and perennial weeds after Weeds controlled include many which are poorly controlled by some knockdown herbicides e.g. mallows, When applied according to label instructions it controls weeds for 4–8 months, avoiding the need for repeat foliar knockdown sprays. Chateau’s active ingredient provides an extremely effective alternative mode of action for use in herbicide resistance management strategies, as well as control of a very wide range of key weeds.

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

SeQuence® contains 240g/L clethodim (Group A) and is newly registered for use in vineyards. It is a selective postemergence herbicide for grass weed control and is particularly effective against ryegrasses, annual summer grasses, annual poa, bromes and many other species.

one with an extremely low risk of resistance development.

It uses a different mode of action than glyphosate (Group G), glufosinate (Group H) and amitrole (Group F3), making it suitable for use where resistance to one or more of these groups is known or suspected.

Key attributes include excellent translaminar properties which deliver powerful curative and protective activity as well as offering excellent rainfastness.

Growers who want to use Chateau need to apply a knockdown herbicide prior to Chateau in order to remove existing weeds and expose bare ground – SeQuence can now be included where grass weeds dominate. Disease management Botector ® is a new yeast-based biological fungicide for botrytis and is the first product of its type to be registered in New Zealand for grapes. Certified for use in organic production, it has a 1-day withholding period which means it can be applied late in the season. Botector leaves no residue, does not affect fermentation or wine quality, and is harmless to bees and beneficial insects, with excellent crop safety. It contains two strains of Aureobasidium pullulans, a fungus commonly found in nature, and it works through competitive exclusion. In other words, it gets in first – colonising potential infection sites, such as micro-scratches on the fruit surface – immediately after application.

Prolectus® is also used to control botrytis. It is based on fenpyrazamine, an active ingredient offering unique chemistry and properties which can block botrytis in various stages of its biological cycle.

Fenpyrazamine is a Group 17 active which penetrates quickly into the crop to provide an immediate effect on botryis infections. Importantly, it is also safe on a number of key beneficial insects used for biological pest control, including predatory mites and parasitic wasps. Because fenpyrazamine acts at multiple points of the botrytis lifecycle, Prolectus provides robust, effective disease control. Digger ® EW is a broad-spectrum, systemic difenoconazole (Group 3) fungicide with preventative and curative activity against powdery mildew in grapes. It penetrates grape tissue rapidly and controls disease by preventing the development of sterols in the cell wall of the fungus. Digger EW must be used in a preventative programme with fungicides that have a different mode of action against powdery mildew.

As a result, copper hydroxide particles contained in ChampION++ are smaller and more precisely shaped than most other coppers currently available, with an average size of 1.8 microns. This gives better coverage, and enhanced disease control. Because of their proportionately greater surface area, there is also a higher release of Cu2+ ions which means lower rates of copper are required. Nando® is a powerful protectant fungicide containing 500g/L fluazinam (Group 29) for use against botrytis, downy mildew and phomopsis in grapes. Nando is a contact fungicide, meaning complete coverage of foliage is important. It is safe to use, has low mammalian toxicity and is non-volatile. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. ®Chateau and Prolectus are registered trademarks of Sumitomo Chemical Australia Pty Ltd. ®ChampION is a registered trademark of Nufarm Americas Inc. ® SeQuence is a registered trademark of Nufarm Limited. ®Digger is a registered trademark of Nufarm Australia Limited. ®Botector is a is a registered trademark of Erber Aktiengesellschaft (IR-1008746). ®Nando is a registered trademark of Nufarm SAS. Article supplied by Nufarm.

As a resistance management strategy, Digger EW must be applied in tank mixture with a multi-site fungicide such as sulphur.

This unique mode of action creates a physical barrier at potential infection sites to protect the fruit from botrytis.

ChampION®++ is a high-performance protectant copper fungicide available only from Farmlands.

Botector offers growers an important new option to enhance their fungicide resistance management strategies;

It contains 300g/kg copper as copper hydroxide and has been specifically formulated to provide excellent

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coverage and disease control. Its lowuse rates of active ingredient mean less environmental load than older, highdose copper formulations.

THE FARMLANDER | 49

This spring boost your pasture growth and improve your milk solids production with ProGibb® SG. It’s proven to boost dry matter yield in ryegrass and clover pastures by 30-60% within just 3-4 weeks of application. Tested by New Zealand’s tough climate, ProGibb SG, stimulates rapid pasture growth so you can improve your livestock performance and condition.

ONF204488NF

Visit your local Farmlands store today and ask about ProGibb SG.

® ProGibb is a registered trademark of Valent BioSciences Corporation, Libertyville, Illinois, USA.

nufarm.co.nz

50 | THE FARMLANDER

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

Smarter spraying for optimal results this spring Adjuvants are added to insecticide, fungicide and herbicide sprays to enhance the safe, efficient application and performance of these crop protection products. They are usually categorised by function and include crop oils, markers, penetrants, surfactants, de-foaming agents and drift retardants. Spray adjuvants themselves are not active in controlling or killing pests, disease or weeds. Instead, they modify some property of the spray solution such as spreading, sticking, penetration, droplet size, handling characteristics or visual appearance. This in turn improves the ability of the active ingredient to land on target, cover the target area more effectively and/or be absorbed by plant tissue more quickly. It also makes it easier to identify after application, or mixes better in the spray tank. A key benefit of certain adjuvants in spring – when weather conditions can be very unpredictable – is their ability to enhance drying time and rainfastness. Also, in spring New Zealand ryegrass develops a waxy outer cuticle which protects the leaf tissue from chemical being applied to it. Take the very common scenario of spraying out old pasture to prepare for sowing spring crop or new pasture. If you spray glyphosate in spring without the right adjuvant, the waxy cuticle will act as a barrier between the glyphosate molecule and the inside of the ryegrass leaf which will compromise your result. So how do you know which adjuvant is best for your requirements?

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| Adjuvants modify some property of the spray solution to improve the active ingredient’s ability to target the plant tissue.

This season, there is a new range of adjuvants available at Farmlands to make it easier to pick the right additive for every application.

It reduces the surface tension of

SprayWise comprises several different adjuvants from one source, with plenty of supporting information available regarding correct product selection, use rates and compatibility.

and ensuring rapid rain fastness.

Included in the range is a new drift reduction agent called Amigo®, along with known brands such as Pulse® Penetrant, Bonza® adjuvant oil, and Contact™ Xcel spreader. Also available are: Spraywise Tank and Equipment Cleaner, Foam Wrecker anti-foam agent, Foam Marker, and Flume super spreader.

the glyphosate spray droplet so it spreads over a greater surface area, penetrating the waxy cuticle For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. ® CRUCIAL, Amigo and Flume are Registered Trademarks of Nufarm Australia Limited.

Bonza and Relay are Registered Trademarks of Nufarm Limited.

Pulse is a Registered Trademark of Nufarm Technologies USA Pty Ltd.

™Contact is a Trademark of Nufarm Limited. Article supplied by Nufarm.

The range is from Nufarm and complements its existing crop protection offering. Pulse Penetrant, for example, is specifically formulated to mix with CRUCIAL® glyphosate.

THE FARMLANDER | 51

% 5 20 off everything storewide in August Exclusive prices for Farmlands shareholders.

15 Garden Hardware % off

15 Garden Décor % off

15 Garden Green Goods off

FCBMI03129AUG

up to

Offers available in-store only. Go to mitre10.co.nz to find your nearest store. Not in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Offers valid 1st - 31st August 2020, while stocks last.

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

Checking forage crops for nitrogen An essential nutrient for plant growth and development, nitrogen (N) is critical for increasing forage crop yields. Nitrogen is vital for chlorophyll production, which enables plants to photosynthesise (convert sunlight into sugars). With sufficient N, crops grow fast and produce abundant green foliage, further increasing their ability to capture sunlight, photosynthesise and improve yield. Without N, crops do not meet their yield potential and can look yellow and stunted. Testing to find out how much nitrogen is in the soil enables more sustainable use of N fertiliser, and can improve financial returns. For forage crops, an Available N test is best. It provides information on the potential supply of N for the growing season, by measuring organic matter in the soil that is going to be converted (mineralised) by microbes into plantavailable forms of N, such as nitrate and ammonium, during the life of

the crop. It is done before sowing, to a depth of 150mm. As well as the Available N test results, N fertiliser rate and timing depends on the sowing date, crop type, anticipated yield, and climatic conditions (see Table 1). Best in N A wide range of nitrogen products are available to meet the varying requirements of forage crops. For sowing crops, N in combination with phosphorus (P) can ensure good establishment. Products such as diammonium phosphate (DAP) ensure plant-available N and P are supplied to the seed for good root and shoot development. Cropzeal Boron Boost, a DAP with the micronutrient boron in every granule, can be used for establishing brassicas and fodder beet. The addition of boron prevents brown heart rot.

the air (volatilisation) and increased N efficiency, and can be applied exactly when the crop needs N (unlike urea fertiliser which requires 5–10mm of water within 8 hours of application to reduce volatilisation). SustaiN 15K, 20K and 25K boost growth and replenish potassium levels, and are useful for maize and fodder beet. N can be prone to losses such as volatilisation and leaching and can have animal health risks if applied near grazing. When determining your product and application rate it is important to seek advice and consider crop yield, sowing date, grazing date and existing soil N. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Ballance Agri-Nutrients

The SustaiN range is ideal for N side dressing and provides greater flexibility of use, reduced N losses to

TYPICAL RATES* CROP

TIMING OF N APPLICATION

STARTER

SIDE DRESSING

Maize

At sowing and side dressing, once plants have six fully emerged leaves

100–200 kg/ha DAP

100–200 kg/ha SustaiN or SustaiN K if potassium required

Fodder beet

Split between sowing and a single side dressing application at canopy closure

Brassicas for winter grazing

At sowing and 4–6 weeks after emergence at canopy closure, then at around 8–12 weeks

Brassicas for summer grazing

At sowing and 4–6 weeks after emergence at canopy closure

100–200 kg/ha Cropzeal Boron Boost

100–150 kg/ha SustaiN or SustaiN K range if potassium required 80–150 kg/ha SustaiN 80–100 kg/ha SustaiN

*Application rate depends on time of sowing, yield and soil N. Seek expert advice to determine recommended rate and product type.

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THE FARMLANDER | 53

Maintaining farm culvert pipes Keeping culvert pipes well maintained is important for the longevity of these assets and to ensure efficient access around the property. Regular maintenance is key, so things do not escalate into an expensive fix. Here are some routine tips to help keep your culvert in a good operating condition. Carrying a spade or shovel on the farm bike or in the ute allows maintenance work to be done quickly and easily. Culvert pipe inlets can be cleaned out and run-off erosion on the side of farm tracks can be rounded off, to lessen further scouring and reduce silting of the adjacent drain. Regularly remove debris (such as gravel or branches) that has carried into the culvert pipe during high flows. This maintains the pipe’s full bore size,

improves flow, lessens accelerated debris build up and reduces the chance of flooding and scouring during high rainfall events. It is good practice to reinforce the streambed at the culvert outlet, to prevent scouring and undermining of the pipe. Reasonable-sized rocks (up to 300mm) laid on a geotextile membrane are ideal for this. A strong weed spraying programme, to eliminate weed and thistle buildup in the channel, is essential. This improves flow and reduces the build up of debris, which could be carried into the culvert at high flows and cause a blockage. The maintenance of wing-walls (headwalls), whether they are concrete, wooden or sandbags, should be undertaken at the first sign of damage. This mitigates accelerated erosion and is

far cheaper than renewing the wing-wall, should it collapse entirely. Spillways or fluming that channels water away once passed through the culvert should be routinely checked and any damage repaired immediately, to lessen possible erosion or underscouring issues. Regular flooding, or excessive repair or maintenance work required on a culvert, may indicate it is undersized. The smaller the culvert diameter, the more prone it will be to blockage by small amounts of debris. Likewise, smooth-bore culverts will be less prone to blockage than corrugated-bore culverts of the same diameter. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Iplex Pipelines.

IPLEX FARMTUFF™ The first choice in flexible culvert pipe. 6 diameters – (110mm to 500mm) 3 lengths – (3m, 5m, 6m) Large, smooth bore – Better flow, less chance of blockage Light weight – Easy to transport and install Excellent longitudinal rigidity – Easy to lay on grade Precision sockets – Pushfit or solvent weld for watertight joints PVC construction – Tough, abrasion resistant for long service Fittings – Injection moulded or fabricated fittings available off the shelf

www.iplex.co.nz Available at your local Farmlands store

54 | THE FARMLANDER

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RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Keep moving with well-designed fencing tools manual hammering and fastening. The tool is designed to make fencing faster, easier and safer – helping farmers to tackle those fencing jobs with confidence – plus freeing up time and energy for more jobs on the farm.

“Fencing keeps people strong and active but this can also be deceiving – constant heavy work is not great for the body over long periods and simple movements such as pulling, twisting, bending and banging take a toll on your body,” Amy says.

Amy also recommends taking time out during the day to stretch and reposition the joints and discs in your lower back.

The entrepreneurial businesswoman makes a living helping people look after their bodies. Now with 10 rural Physio Direct clinics across the country, fencers, shearers and farm workers with very physical jobs make up 60 percent of her patient load. Amy and her physiotherapists see regular fencing-related injuries across the clinics. The top problems they see are: • Back injuries from constantly working in a bent/stooped position. • Shoulder injuries from lifting heavy strainers and working at various (and sometimes awkward) angles.

“If you are working in a bent-over position for a while, stand up and stretch backwards. It will feel stiff and uncomfortable to begin with but extending backwards can help ‘reset’ the back. Do exercises in the opposite way you have been working, for example activities like pilates, yoga, walking and low-intensity exercises counteract the movements you the have been doing all day.” For Richard Grey’s team at Hakataramea Station in Kurow, fencing is one of those in-between jobs throughout the year and a bit of fun on the side. The South Canterbury station runs 30,000 stock units, 10,000 ewes, 3,000 deer and 350 cattle. Up to 5 years ago, fencing was done hammer-in-hand.

• Tennis elbow or carpel tunnel from constant gripping which can very easily cause inflammation that may lead to pins and needles, as well as pain and weakness in the fingers.

“It was always a battle. Now it’s a fight for who gets to use the tool first,” Richard says.

“It’s not very pleasant. Your body is the most important tool you have so be proactive and smart. If you have any problems or concerns – see someone about it. Preventing injuries is a great place to start; regular stretching, rest and good tools can make a difference.”

“It’s the best tool I’ve ever had – sturdy and rugged, three to four times faster than stapling by hand. The stapler makes for better constructed fences, it saves the body and makes fencing enjoyable.”

Stockade’s ST400i post stapler takes away the impact stress from repetitive

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Check out physiotherapist, Amy Cram’s guide to flexible fencing.

Fencing is one of the most physically demanding jobs on the farm according to rural physiotherapist Amy Cram. With the right tools though, it can be a farmer’s secret pleasure.

He puts the change in his team down to the admiration of the ST400i.

Customers that purchase an ST400i during August receive a box of staples, a staple case and a Staplemate for free.

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

THE FARMLANDER | 55

FARMLANDS SHAREHOLDERS RECEIVE — UP TO —

10% OFF STOREWIDE*

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ATV DRAG HARROW

SKU: FAAT3000

With steel teeth forward and down, this Yard Commander Harrow Rake cultivates, prepares seed beds and rakes up dead foliage. Pull teeth in the other direction and they penetrate less. Turn teeth up and they’re drag mats. Pull behind your tractor, ute, ATV or 4-wheeler to effectively level dirt racing tracks and playing fields or harrow padocks or horse arenas. No maintenance needed. Heavy-duty tubular steel draw bar. SIZE: 1.2 x 1.5M

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incl .00GST

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•

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TO PLACE AN ORDER  0508 867 621 Pricing is exclusive to Farmlands shareholders when transacting on your Farmlands Card. All prices are GST inclusive and subject to stock availability. Pricing is inclusive of all rebates and discounts. Prices are valid until 31st August 2020. Lowprice Lockdown, drop-shipped, Shareholder pricing is off RRP and does not include stock items. Prices do not include delivery. Assembly may be required.

Clearance or non-

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RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Insulated fencing an innovative solution Taranaki beef farmer, property developer and dairy farm investor Mike Swift is a keen early adopter of new technology. When redeveloping his 150-acre coastal property on the outskirts of New Plymouth, he was looking for an innovative fencing solution that was functional, simple to install and easy on the eye. Gallagher’s Insulated Line Post system includes a fully insulated polyethylene and fibreglass post for low-cost, low-maintenance, permanent electric fencing for sheep, cattle, deer and horses. The system comes with pre-formed wire attachments and snap-on clips. “The concept first caught my eye at the Mystery Creek Fieldays,” Mike, who has an agri-banking and business development background, recalls. “Because of the coastal location of our property, I needed something durable that was UV resistant and wasn’t prone to corrosion in the salty sea air. The look of Gallagher’s Insulated Line Post System means our views of the property are not interrupted.

| The flexibility of this solution keeps different classes of animal where they should be.

“I needed a solution that could withstand all classes of cattle, from 4-day old calves to 700kg bulls scrapping and fighting. The flexibility of Gallagher’s Insulated Line Post system means I can select the number and height of my wires, depending on the animals I am rearing. Then it’s all powered up with one of Gallagher’s high-voltage energizer units.” Insulated Line Posts are strong yet

“It also appealed to me because, while it’s great as a permanent fence, I was looking for a solution that could be easily removed and reused in the future if we decided to subdivide further.”

flexible on impact, making them safe

Mike purchased his Taranaki property in 2018 and redeveloped it into 50-acre blocks, with contouring and refencing work. He finishes cattle and also breeds bull sires for dairy farmers to use post-artificial insemination.

with the clips still in place. The product

Mike says he has confidence in Gallagher’s Insulated Line Post system to keep his stock where they should be.

his reservations about the Insulated

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for stock. “I have had some wayward cattle run at the wires and I’ve watched the line posts flex over and then bounce back is certainly meeting my expectations,” he says. Mike’s fencing contractor Daryn

“The system is really easy to install and ideal for a property on the coast like Mike’s. You don’t need a hammer or staples and there’s no heavy machinery required, so there’s a cost saving there. “The line posts are fully insulated, which is a huge advantage, and they are light so you can carry up to 20 at one time,” Daryn says. Mike is so impressed with the performance of the line post system he has recommended it to a friend who is doing some riparian planting. “Fencing waterways on farm is a costly exercise, but these days it’s not negotiable,” he says. “Gallagher’s Line Post System is a cost-effective way to protect waterways and ensure that, as farmers, we are meeting our environmental obligations.”

Line Post system but says as an electric

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

fence solution it has its advantages.

Article supplied by Gallagher.

Laurence is used to putting up traditional post and wire fences. He had

THE FARMLANDER | 57

20% OFF*

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A. 180mm LED Driving Light (MTR-180) $229 230mm LED Driving Light (MTR-230) $319

B. 21" LED Single Row Light Bar (MTLB-120) $199 C. 22" LED Double Row Light Bar (MTLB-220) $279

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RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Keep your machines running smoothly Using the right oil for each machine on-farm not only ensures warranty compliance but ultimately lengthens the lifespan of your engine. Coming up to such a busy time of year, it is important to service your machine and sort your oil in advance. While changing oil is fairly simple, it is surprising how many common mistakes creep in Farmlands Lubricants Technical Manager, Djared Tointon says. “Most shareholders will have performed this task at some point on their farm – but human error does happen and there are some ‘myths’ that I find myself dis-spelling on a regular basis. “Farmers and growers need to keep their machines running to schedule as any mistakes, simple or otherwise, can be costly or time consuming for them to fix,” he says. Farmlands is the sole importer and distributor of Gulf Oil in New Zealand, which means they provide expertise and guidance to farmers, growers, commercial customers and lifestylers. “We see a lot of common practice, which isn’t always best practice. This pertains to all machinery engines – from transmissions to final drives and hydraulics – front and back end.” Here are some tips based on the common issues Djared and his team troubleshoot. Get the required oil in advance. Many people will drain out oil prior to performing a service, only to discover they do not have the correct product, or enough of it, on farm. • The oil type required for each machine varies greatly.

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You should always follow manufacturer’s instructions in the first instance. Gulf Oil has some recommendations by product and quantity for your engine at www.gulfoil.co.nz/recommendations • Remember, some tractor engines are well beyond 20L capacity. Hydraulic systems on some machines will be the best part of 200L. Before ordering and servicing, it is best to check how much oil you need. Farmlands offers free freight for onfarm delivery of Gulf Oil for orders of 60L and above. It is a good idea to clean machinery. Most on-farm machines work in harsh environments, whether dusty or dirty. Always clean machinery prior to and after servicing to prevent any oil contamination.

Do not forget your implements. We are very aware of what oil to put in our tractors however, the poor old implements which we plug into our gear do not always get the same attention. • As soon as we plug something into the tractor and turn the tractor on – we mix the oil between the two machines. To respect your tractor, remember to change the oil in your implements too.

• Washers on sumps are the leading cause of oil leaks immediately after servicing. Just tightening the sump plug tighter runs the risk of stripping the thread off the sump. Replacing the washer is cheap insurance. • After servicing, check the levels. Filters are cheap and important to replace. However, once the oil is refilled make sure to start the machine and run the oil pressure up. This will fill the filters with oil, then re-check and top up oil levels. Some hydraulic filters will hold 2–3L of oil easily, engines with multiple filters can hold the same. Sometimes machines do not use oil immediately after a service, sometimes we just do not add enough oil.

• This applies to spreading and baling machines, log splitters, post hole drivers, fork mechanisms and any manner of instrument which you will be using on-farm in spring. For more information or advice please visit www.gulfoil.co.nz or visit your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Gulf Oil.

Buying Power Promise: Gulf Universal Tractor Transmission Fluid 200L is on special this month. See page 11 for details.

THE FARMLANDER | 59

Connecting rural communities A new remote hearing healthcare service has seen rapid take-up around New Zealand, as local communities take advantage of the convenience and responsiveness of the new technology. Triton Hearing introduced its Remote Hearing Care Services during the nationwide Level 4 lockdown, building on the organisation’s TeleAudiology initiative that was introduced in 2017. The new service allows clients to access a range of expert hearing health services, advice and support without needing to visit a clinic. Head of Audiology and Innovation, Craig Lett says Triton Hearing has been working towards the innovation for the past 3 years.

“During the lockdown, the service was a vital way to safely connect to those in need, as hearing loss can compound an already isolating situation,” James Whittaker, Managing Director Triton Hearing, says. “However, as restrictions have lifted in New Zealand, we’ve found that many communities – especially those in rural areas, have really embraced what the new service offers.” “For farmers in particular, this new innovation has been a very important step. We know it can be hard to get off the farm at any time – especially right in the middle of lambing and calving, so having a service you can access remotely can make a real difference.” James says with a relatively high incidence of workplace-related hearing loss in the agricultural sector, Triton’s

remote services will be extremely helpful to a large number of people in the industry. “As many in the sector come up on the 6-year replacement of their ACC-funded hearing aids, this new service will provide a fast and convenient way to upgrade to the latest hearing technology.” About Triton Hearing As New Zealand’s only Consumer NZ Trusted Hearing Expert, Triton Hearing is at the forefront of delivering innovative hearing solutions to New Zealanders as well as expert advice. All hearing solutions are backed by their exclusive Better Hearing Guarantee. Triton Hearing offers a 15% rebate on purchases – exclusive to Farmlands Cardholders. For more information on the remote hearing care services, please visit: www.tritonhearing.co.nz/about-us/ hearing-experts/remote-hearing-care/

R OV E

“This is amazing technology, which allows our expert team to connect with people via the internet, no matter where they are across New Zealand,” Craig says. “We are excited about the impact that this new innovation can have. It’s exactly what is needed right now.”

New Zealand is uniquely placed to lead the world in remote hearing aid services, with high technology uptake across the population and a history of embracing new ideas.

ACC OVIDE

60 | THE FARMLANDER

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

The magnificence of Mangapurakau For more than 110 years the land at Waipukurau has been farmed by the Wall/Von Dadelszen families. In 1909, Percy Wall of “Hinerangi Station” purchased from Sydney

| The future is in good handss – three generations of farmers.

Johnson of “Orua Wharo Station”, the land which is now the basis

Wharo purchase, while Judith

of Valuation and Farm Management,

of “Mangapurakau Station”.

married John Ormond of Wallingford

married Jane Hilgendorf from

This was 7 years after winning the

and received 1,400 acres.

Mid Canterbury and took over the

ballot for 1,500 acres (Hinerangi), part

With the advent of the wool boom,

management of Mangapurakau. He

of the “Woburn Station” settlement.

income became available to develop

was awarded the Hawke’s Bay Farmer

The purchase of 3,000 acres at £8

land by ploughing, fencing and fertilising. Each block of land by now carried

of the Year in 1979. They have three

per acre gave Percy 4,500 acres of clean Hawke’s Bay hill country, all this

the sum total of all three previously.

achieved by the age of 29 years. The

In 1951 Percy suffered a severe stroke

Orua Wharo land was the back block

and Godfray von Dadelszen, Percy’s

and was known as the wether run,

son-in-law, took over the management

where male sheep were finished before

of Percy’s three farms as well as

slaughter and export at 2 years of age.

Mangapurakau. By this time, the family

This enlarged farm was run as one

of five children had moved to Hinerangi

conjunction with Matt’s parents.

until the end of WW2, when the two

to live and a farm manager took over the

Matt is also a graduate of Lincoln

daughters married. Mary married

day-to-day running of Mangapurakau.

University with a degree in Agricultural

Godfray von Dadelszen and was

In 1972 Godfray’s son, Ponty graduated

Commerce and he and Paula have four

settled on 1,600 acres of the Orua

from Lincoln College with a Diploma

children – Hannah, Ella, Zara and Oscar.

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children – Matthew, Alexa and Emma. Today the property has expanded to 2,500 acres, carrying sheep, cattle and deer. It is now under the management and ownership of the fourth generation farmers, Matthew and Paula, in

THE FARMLANDER | 61

No townie rates. Our power prices work with your seasons. We get it. You’re not the average energy-user. That’s why we’ve got your back with power prices that match your farming calendar. To find out more about our seasonal rates, call the Agribusiness team on 0800 496 444 or visit meridian.co.nz/agribusiness Standard terms, conditions and exit fees apply.

62 | THE FARMLANDER

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THE FARMLANDER | 63

Purchase today at Selected Farmlands Stores or online at betacraft.co.nz