The Farmlander March 2020 by Farmlands

SPECIAL OFFERS AND INFORMATION FOR FARMLANDS SHAREHOLDERS

MARCH 2020 Valid from 1 – 31 March 2020

The FARMLANDER PLANTING PROVIDES THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS PAGES 6-11, 21

HOPE’S ON THE MOVE TRACTOR TREK FOR RURAL YOUTH PAGE 13

CYBER SECURITY 101 PAGE 19

LET S

TALK

AUTUMN CONVERSATIONS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

MARCH

INTEREST

PLAN 365

3. Farmlands staff profile

Plan365 Nutrition

3. From the CEO

23. Nutrition for optimum coat shine

4. 5 minutes with Nathan Penny

25. Chicken Chatter

27. Biosecurity matters

6. Special Feature – Future proofing through regeneration

13. Tractor Trek geared to help rural youth

Plan365 Animal Management

17. Agri-business interns spread their wings

32. Jesse Mulligan’s rat trapping 101

19. Cyber security 101

35. Serious pest control prevents spread

21. Clean water conversations deliver results

39. Combat autumn’s animal health challenges

31. Buying Power Promise

41. Why drenching earlier beats waiting for dry off

60. Century Farms – The magnificence of Mangapurakau 61. Property Brokers real estate

WHAT’S ON

19–21 MARCH

Central Districts Field Days Whether you’re a farmer or a foodie, don’t miss the latest trends and deals on show.

10–15

Plan365 Forage and Arable 47. Maintaining healthy soil biology

MARCH

Land Rover Horse of the Year

Plan365 Rural Infrastructure 49. Expanding your electric fencing power options 53. Electric fencing installation made easier SPECIAL OFFERS AND INFORMATION FOR

FARMLANDS SHAREHOLDERS

55. Farm culvert maintenance

MARCH 2020 Valid from

1 – 31 March 2020

The FARMLANDER

New Zealand’s premier equestrian competition features over 1,400 riders and their mounts competing for glory across disciplines.

59. Finding the best water solutions for your animals

4–24

ON THE COVER

ING PROVIDES PLANT OF BOTH WORLDS THE BEST

PAGES 6-11, 21

HOPE’S ON THE MOVE TRACTOR TREK FOR RURAL YOUTH PAGE 13

CYBER SECURITY 101 PAGE 19

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

2 | THE FARMLANDER

MARCH

For decades, the Ennor family has focused on healthy stock and putting their varied land to best use. Planting began as animal shelter and erosion prevention and has evolved into landscaping, forestry and eco-regeneration. Making the most of their land has seen the family business branch out even further in recent times.

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.

I AM HOPE Tractor Trek This March meet special guest Mike King and the Tractor Trek crew as they pull into a Farmlands store near you.

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

FROM THE CEO

Belinda Hunter

Welcome to the March edition of The Farmlander. I trust you are well prepared for the upcoming autumn season and like us, gearing up for a busy few months ahead.

Business Manager, Pahiatua

Q: What do you enjoy about your job? A: The day-to-day interaction with farmers at a ground level plus the variety of work is great too! Q: What were you doing before Farmlands? A: Previously, I was in fashion retail and before that I spent 17 years with The Warehouse. Fashion to farming might seem like a funny change but I live rurally so it wasn’t that big of a step! Q: Where are you from originally? A: I was born in Masterton but have lived all over when I was working for The Warehouse. Q: What do you like to do most in your spare time? A: My kids are very sporty and I love following their games. I also enjoy gardening and playing netball – I’m heading to the Masters Games in Dunedin at the end of the month with my team. Even though it’s the Masters, I like to think I’m still young! Q: What would you do if you won $100,000? A: We would like to invest in more land and head off on a nice family holiday to Greece. Q: What conversations are you having with your shareholders in the current climate? A: I often talk to shareholders about prices and rising costs. New environmental policies and legislation are putting the pressure on and a lot of farmers are asking for help; they want to know what others are doing to keep costs down. Q: What change would you like to see in agriculture to help with this? A: I understand how important these new policies are for the environment but it would be good to see some kind of ‘give-back’ from the government to farmers – as once they have invested in compliance and implemented change, it will be an ongoing cost.

Belinda's

Tomato Relish

Method

Ingredients • 2kg ripe tomatoes, cored and chopped (you don't need to peel them) • 2 large onions chopped • 1 tbsp salt • 1 tbsp curry powder • 1 tbsp mustard powder • 1 tbsp chilli flakes (optional) • 1 cup white wine or malt vinegar • 1 cup sugar • 2 tbsp cornflour • 1 tbsp cold water

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1. Place tomatoes and onions in a noncorrosive stainless steel or plastic container and sprinkle with salt. Leave to stand for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours.

This month, The Farmlander shines the spotlight on regeneration and conversations that matter. We have also profiled the New Zealander of the Year, Mike King, to discuss the I AM HOPE project. Farmlands is proud to be associated with this important initiative and this month you can read more about some of the great events that will help I AM HOPE reach its ambitious goal of $5 million. I encourage our shareholders to learn more about I AM HOPE and how they can help on page 13. Whether it is Gumboot Friday or the Tractor Trek, every little bit helps us help others. I would like to take the opportunity to use this month’s introduction to pay tribute to a wonderful Farmlander who sadly passed away at the end of January. Lew Duggan was a Regional Manager and Area Manager in our Northern area for the better part of a decade. During his long and distinguished career with Farmlands, Lew was a highly respected leader who leaves behind a strong legacy with those he worked with. Outside of work hours, Lew had a strong sense of community and a desire to contribute to the wider Northland province. As President of Northland Field Days, Lew brought the best of New Zealand and the world to Dargaville and the event continued to grow in popularity under his leadership. We will work on an appropriate way to acknowledge Lew’s legacy and contribution to our business in the near future. On behalf of everyone at Farmlands, our condolences and best wishes continue to go to Lew’s family, friends and his former team in Northland. I wish you all a safe and successful month ahead.

2. Strain off and discard the liquid produced. 3. Place drained tomatoes and onions in a large preserving pan with curry powder, mustard powder, chilli flakes (if using) and vinegar. 4. Bring to a boil and boil for about 15 minutes. 5. Stir in sugar until dissolved, then continue to boil gently for another 75 minutes.

Peter Reidie Chief Executive Officer Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited

6. Mix cornflour to a paste with cold water. Stir into the boiling sauce until very slightly thickened (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat, pour into sterilised jars or bottles and seal with lids.

THE FARMLANDER | 3

5 minutes with Nathan Penny ASB Senior Rural Economist Can we get a repeat of 2019’s record commodity prices this year? My take on that would be: probably not. Last year, African swine fever was massive and the key driver for record meat prices, the New Zealand dollar was very supportive for farmgate prices, global dairy supply was tight, while horticulture’s stellar run continued. In many ways, the ducks really lined up last year and we’re unlikely to have such a good run in 2020. I still think this year is going to be healthy for commodity prices. African swine fever continues to underpin meat prices, although lifting global supply is likely to take the cherry off the top of prices. Meanwhile, global food demand generally remains solid and supportive of prices. Looking at the sectors, if 2018 was horticulture’s (kiwifruit’s) year and 2019 was meat’s turn to shine, I think dairy is going to be 2020’s star. In fact, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of an $8.00/kg milk price in either 2019/20 or 2020/21. All up, I think we are looking at a positive year for farmgate incomes. As we go to print, the coronavirus outbreak has thrown up the potential for change to the 2020 agri outlook (at least in the short term). My base case remains that the outbreak will give a sharp and short-lived hit to global food markets. However, there is a risk that the outbreak’s impact could persist through to mid-year.

4 | THE FARMLANDER

So where are interest rates heading? Interest rates set record lows over last year and in many cases as we start 2020, borrowing rates on offer for farmers remain close to, if not at, record lows. For the remainder of the year and beyond, I anticipate that borrowing rates are more likely to rise. There is some upward pressure on interest rates from lifting global interest rates, a lower chance that the Reserve Bank will cut its interest rate and as new bank capital regulations take effect. With the above in mind, farmers can lock in very low interest rates now and should plan to deal with higher interest rate costs over coming years. Do you have a personal goal this year? I’m either being very ambitious or I’m going through a mid-life crisis as I’ve signed up for the Oxfam Trailwalker in March! This is a 100km walk over 36 hours held in and around Whakatane. My team is called the ‘Queen St Cockies’ and donations are gratefully received – money raised will go to vulnerable communities in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz We’ve heard that banks aren’t lending to farmers. Is that true? This is one myth I can definitely bust – ASB is open for new business across all rural sectors. Remember, both the agri sector and banks’ operating environments have changed. The best example of this is in the dairy sector where farmers have traditionally had the option of interest-only terms, supported by the fact that dairy land prices have been rising over time. Now, in the absence

of land price gains for the most part, the lending equation has changed. It makes sense for both farmers and banks to move to principal-andinterest loan repayment terms. This means the focus has shifted from farming-for-capital-gain to farming-forprofit/cash-return. We think this is a healthy shift for the sector in terms of farm resilience and sustainability. ASB is working closely with our farm clients and their stakeholders to make this shift over many years. In other words, ASB is playing a long game here as we believe in the long-term prospects of our agri sector. Changing tack, what will the post-Brexit era look like for us? When the English first voted to leave the EU in 2016, I along with most

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FARMLANDS 5 MINUTES

other analysts were concerned about the impact on our lamb exports and in particular, lamb export prices. As it turns out, we needn’t have worried. In the season following the Brexit vote, lamb prices cracked $8/kg for the first time and at the end of 2019, they had gone one better, passing the $9/kg mark.

In an effort to quell my anger, I decided

As such, Brexit has been a blessing in disguise. It has forced New Zealand meat companies to wean themselves off the British market; an important traditional market, but one that has long been in decline. As it turns out, the markets we have switched to have actually performed much better than the UK market ever has. Notably, the US and Chinese markets have performed well in recent years.

greenhouse gas emissions basis

Looking forward, I see the UK as a market on the decline and one that provides limited opportunities for us. There are many more markets closer to home, particularly in Asia, that are growing fast and are short on quality food – they’re just the kind of markets we like.

“

Looking at the sectors, if 2018 was horticulture’s (kiwifruit’s) year and 2019 was meat’s turn to shine, I think dairy is going to be 2020’s star."

to write a letter to educate James Cameron (and others) on the great things that Kiwi farmers are doing. I pointed out that: 1. Aotearoa produces enough food to feed around 50 million people 2. Our dairy production is the most efficient in the world on a 3. New Zealand’s pasture-based beef production is also the most efficient in the world (using the same metric) 4. Kiwi farmers, unlike many in the Northern Hemisphere (including Canada where he’s from) have farmed subsidy-free since the 1980s. How do you think environmental constraints will affect farmers’ back pockets? In many cases, environmental constraints are going to lead to higher farmgate prices. So yes, compliance costs are rising but increasingly these costs are going to be reflected in prices. Essentially, the environmental constraints are limiting production or supply growth and with demand still firm, prices are subsequently rising. Secondly, it’s important to note that our competitors in other countries are facing very similar challenges. Thus, the challenge becomes a competitive one i.e. if our farmers can incorporate environmental and other compliance into their businesses better or more efficiently than overseas rivals, this will be a competitive advantage for us. Speaking of eco-friendly – how can we get hold of an ASB sustainaball? Yeah, the balls are pretty cool eh?

What gets your goat up? The Sunday Programme interviewed movie director, James Cameron, last year and if you didn’t see it there was one statement that really irked me: “I think what we need is a nice transition to a meatless or relatively meatless world in 20 or 30 years.”

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You’re a dairy expert – what’s your takeaway for those farmers? Despite what the mainstream media might say, I believe it’s a great time to be a dairy farmer. I think that the milk price has structurally moved higher and will average between $6.50/kg and $7.50/kg over the next 10 years. Importantly I also believe milk price volatility has reduced, which will come as a relief to farmers. With a healthy milk price outlook and low interest rates, dairy farmers are well-positioned for the challenges ahead. The question is: how can they build ongoing resilience into their businesses? I think a stronger balance sheet is key as it will help see off future challenges including compliance, environmental constraints, succession planning and others. Already, many farmers have paid down a portion of debt over the past year and I applaud their efforts. With the healthy milk price and very low interest rates, I argue that it’s a good time to continue down this track. What’s the best thing about your job? I travel all around, from Whangarei to Gore, and I get a real buzz from meeting farmers, learning what makes them tick and discussing their challenges. I love how willing they are to talk – I’ve learnt so much from them at Field Days and discussion groups. Speaking of Gore, I recently spoke at the Farmlands Gore store opening and then a shareholder breakfast in Winton – I can’t overstate how fun and insightful they were.

Like many a Kiwi out there, I have spent

I’m always keen to chat so please get in touch!

time combing through backyard bushes

Contact Nathan: 021 918 928,

for long-lost tennis balls! Who’d have

Nathan.penny@asb.co.nz,

known that regular tennis balls can take

@ASBmarkets (Twitter), Nathan Penny

hundreds of years to biodegrade versus

(LinkedIn). Sign up to his emails at

less than 10 years for one of these.

www.asb.co.nz/contact-us/register-

You can get an ASB sustainaball via

for-email-updates.

www.asb.co.nz/community/asb-classic

THE FARMLANDER | 5

Future proofing through regeneration Best farming practices for land and stock has seen a summer dry Central Hawkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bay farm thrive on diversity. Using their land effectively has been an Ennor family cornerstone since Rae Ennor purchased Ranui Farm back in 1948.

6 | THE FARMLANDER

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SPECIAL FEATURE

| Farmlands Technical Field Officer Joseph Butler gives specialist advice to Trev and Rob. The Ennors have moved to dairy grazers which has been a "learning curve".

Over the decades the Ennors have fine-tuned their regenerative approach with a focus on happy and healthy stock and matching land type to land use. This has seen them pick up a Hawke’s Bay Forester of the Year award and diversify into a range of farm-related adventure sports. Rae Ennor, a returned serviceman, purchased the 500-acre Ranui block from his wife’s family after the larger farm was split and sold off among relatives after World War II.

Increasing the land’s capacity Back then, two thirds of the farm was in scrub and what land was available was farmed in a limited capacity. Rae and his son Rob spent years cutting scrub and developing the farm and were astute enough to leave shelter in paddocks and on steep faces. Rob spent his school holidays clearing scrub at Ranui and in 1954 went full-time. That did not mean any wages though – the farm was not developed enough to support more than one family or pay Rob a wage, so in the early days he went shearing to earn money.

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Rob and his wife Jean eventually took over the farm and continued to develop the property. In 2001 the family had the opportunity to buy a neighbouring block, giving them an additional 500 acres and taking the total holding to 1,000 acres, or 404 hectares. By this time the Ranui block had been mostly cleared of scrub but the intensive workload continued with the new block requiring a lot of fencing, tracks and lanes. The bigger block presented an opportunity for Rob and Jean’s son Trev, one of six children, to come home. Trev says his parents had always encouraged their children to have a trade and he spent 18 years as a plumber in Hawke’s Bay. “I was in my late thirties with a couple of young kids and the attraction of farming and a lifestyle change was enough to bring me home.” While Trev has taken on a management position, the farm is still a family affair. One of the highlights of his job is working alongside his Dad, who at 82 goes from daylight to dusk. Along with Trev’s 80-year-old Mum, they are still very involved with farm life.

THE FARMLANDER | 7

Planting provides balance The Ennors have always farmed with a focus on looking after their land and making the most of the property. Trev says his Mum and younger brother Martin have a real passion for landscaping and trees which was the catalyst for planting to improve the farm and stop erosion. “We began with gully retirement and enrichment planting of natives on steep faces where we were losing stock. For us it has always been about using the best land for our sheep and cattle, with the rest for woodlots and tree planting.” This effective land use has enhanced the natural environment at Ranui. “It’s about making the most of the land we have got. The planting has seen 70ha of our 404ha property planted or retired.” The remaining 330ha of rolling to hilly land is grazed. Landscaping has included 17–18ha of radiata pine planted between 1994–96, which was harvested last summer. Trev says despite the 20-plus year wait between planting and harvesting it has been worthwhile and this winter they will plant pines again, increasing the plantation to 20ha. A total of 13ha of non-productive woodlots are planted in kanuka and natives, which includes a 3-hectare kanuka block that was fenced off in 2003. “What was an ugly gully and hard to get stock out of is now beautiful, with massively tall kanuka trees and other native plantings that attract bird life. We think of it as a memorial to our grandparents and the eventual aim is to apply to the QEII National Trust to protect the block,” Trev says. There is also a managed plantation of 400 poplar stems which the Ennors hope to market as timber in 10–15 years, a eucalyptus block and a macrocarpa woodlot which will eventually be used for firewood. Other plantings include acacia, C. lusitanica, redwoods and black walnut. In 2016 the farm took out the Pan Pac Hawke’s Bay Farm Forester of the Year award. Trev says the award recognised the Ennors as farm foresters and the work they were doing around woodlots, riparian fencing and planting, and protecting waterways. “Our work has always been a balance between wanting the best for our land and our stock, while still running a business.

| One of the highlights of Trev's job is working alongside his dad, Rob. They see their wood lots and plantations as a memorial to their Grandparents and aim to apply for QEII status.

8 | THE FARMLANDER

“The planting gave us the best of both worlds by providing an extra income while regenerating native bush, protecting our waterways as well as giving fodder and shelter for our stock.”

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SPECIAL FEATURE

| Ranui Farm Park is a family operation with Trev's Mum, Dad and brothers involved too.

No intensive farming here

trading cattle. There is a bit of work weighing them and

The summer dry farm, which is 17km south of Waipukurau, receives an average annual rainfall of 1,000ml with limited rainfall between December and March. “Because we have fenced off a lot of the land where there are creeks and dams, an ongoing project is installing new troughs and we are fortunate to have a reliable spring source that is piped and irrigated,” Trev says.

drenching but over a 12-month period they are a lot less work than sheep,” he reckons. Having made the switch 7 years ago, Trev says the contract dairy grazers have given them “better returns”. The farm peaked carrying 250 dairy weaner heifers and R2 heifers. When it comes to stocking rates though, Trev is cautious. “We have been bitten before and our aim now is quality, not

Ranui carries around 1,200 Romney breeding ewes which are put to terminal sire rams and 60–70 trading cattle.

quantity. We are not intensive farmers which is probably

In another game-changing move, the Ennors dropped around 600 breeding ewes in favour of dairy grazers.

Creating a network of lanes has made it easier to work with

“We do miss not having our own breeding hoggets coming through, but we buy in lamb replacement ewes or buy early and put the ram to them.

When applying fertiliser they use Hatuma’s lime and dicalcic

“It’s been a learning curve and looking after dairy stock requires a different management approach to looking after

“We don’t go over the top and prefer to use lime

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bucking the trend, but we are comfortable with it.”

stock and placed less pressure when shifting animals.

phosphate fertiliser to cover as much of the farm as possible and a very conservative use of nitrogen.

and phosphates,” Trev says.

THE FARMLANDER | 9

| The 1,000-acre playground, 17km south of Waipukurau, features a purpose-built mountain bike park. Last year, Ranui welcomed 2,000 visitors.

The Ranui soil type is 80 percent loamy soil, 10 percent sandy loam and 10 percent clay. “Back in the early days my grandfather and father planted willows and poplars in recognition of the clay soil type which is always moving, shrinking and swelling. A fencepost won’t stand straight in clay for long and the planting helped stabilise the land and provided shade, shelter and food for the stock. “As well as erosion-control plantings we also utilise the pollarding pruning system, where the upper branches of a tree are removed, promoting growth of a dense head of foliage which enables us to provide fodder to feed livestock,” he says. Cropping is part of the Ranui summer-proofing plan, with around 12ha of brassica feed grown and used to fatten dairy stock and lambs. The ground is then planted back into a short-rotation annual grass in the winter. Plantain and clover-fattening pasture also cover 12ha.

A diverse public playground Trev says the reason the farm opened its gates to the public was, again, a family thing. “Mum started Scallywags Childcare in Waipukurau in 1988 as she loves children and families. I did a lot of cycling, running and adventure sport so when I came home all

10 | THE FARMLANDER

I could see was a 1,000-acre playground! Developing adventure opportunities here was a combination of these things. It incorporates our outstanding landscape, native scenery and farm life,” he enthuses. The Ranui Farm Park experience gives visitors an adventure on a working farm, complete with breathtaking views. The property features a purpose-built mountain bike park which winds its way through woodlots, rolling hillsides and bush plantings. A block of eucalyptus trees, which was originally planted for oil extraction, has provided an ideal bike track. The farm features five tracks and miles of unpaved trails for avid bikers and casual riders alike. The park holds regular track training days in the weekends and hosts special events such as the Dry Triathlon and annual Adventure Race. The park has become well known for its popular Sunday Fundays, where families can enjoy scenic walks across the farm, a large playground, 70-metre water slide, 80-metre flying fox, archery, paintball targets, and a golf pitch-and-chip. The Ennors have taken their tourism opportunity to the next level by offering a rustic homestyle café featuring great coffee and baking from Grandma Jean Ennor. The café is the former home of Trev’s grandparents and also operates as a bed and breakfast.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Trev believes opening the farm to adventure tourism helps to bridge the rural/urban divide and encourages more people to respect the land. “We just love seeing kids and families outdoors, away from screens and devices and making the most of active time together. “We also invite kids and schools for farm experiences and school camps. My brother Russell has taken a couple of years off from teaching to promote the farm park to schools. Our aim is to educate kids about farming – we take them to the woolshed to see a sheep being shorn, we explain about drenching, meat and wool. It’s incredible what these kids don’t know about farming and animals,” Trev says. Visitor safety on the farm is a priority for the Ennors. “We are always working towards the perfect status and that includes upgrading signage and ensuring everyone signs a form when they come onto the property and takes part in the safety talks. “We do the best we can, and our visitors know they need to assume responsibility as well.” The adventure side of the business is growing and last year they recorded 2,000 visitors. Eventually, Trevor thinks this facet has the potential to be a standalone business.

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Regenerative practices reflect passion Trev says that the whole family has a real passion for what they are doing. He believes they have been able to achieve through a combination of land knowledge and wanting their stock to be happy. “It all goes hand in hand. The regeneration planting is linked to the way the animals are treated and the result is stock that are comfortable with water, shade and shelter. “Even back in my grandfather’s early days on the farm it was about getting the balance right and laying a foundation for the future. We are fortunate he was knowledgeable enough to plant trees for a purpose, leaving natives in gullies and only clearing the better land. “I still love to go out the back of the farm, look around at how nice it is and take a big breath,” he says. “There is a certain irony for my father, who spent a lot of his youth cutting down manuka scrub, that we are now replanting some of the land that he cleared! “Hopefully our practices are future-proofing the land so generations to come can enjoy it just as we have been able to.”

THE FARMLANDER | 11

To The Core Leadership and Governance Development Programme Farmlands Co-operative and Silver Fern Farms Co-operative are pleased to welcome applications for our award-winning rural governance and leadership programme – To The Core. This unique programme has been designed for Farmlands and Silver Fern Farms shareholders and gives participants an opportunity to learn more about governance in our co-operatives, as well as develop the skills needed to operate at board level. Where: Farmlands Co-operative Support Office, 535 Wairakei Road, Burnside, Christchurch 8053 When: Wednesday 17th − Friday 19th June 2020 Programme fee: $695 plus GST. Includes accommodation and all meals during the course. The programme features an outstanding line up of top speakers, as well as opportunities to discuss issues impacting boards. • A perspective on agribusiness co-operative boards: strategy and structure

Shareholders of both co-operatives are invited to apply for positions – numbers are limited.

• How to navigate boards through risk and market disruption

If you have any questions about To The Core, please contact Clark Taylor (Shareholder Relations Manager, Silver Fern Farms) on clark.taylor@silverfernfarms.com or 029 914 5060.

• The future of farming and impacts for boards

Applications close 20th March 2020

• CEO and Chair Panel

APPLY NOW AT

FAR_09599

www.farmlands.co.nz/tothecore

12 | THE FARMLANDER

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CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

Tractor Trek geared to help rural youth Mike King learned a long time ago that nothing ever happens until somebody acts. That is why he started the charity I AM HOPE, a support group promoting positive change around youth mental health. Their Gumboot Friday event fundraises to provide timely help, including counselling, for young people when they need it. Mike reckons he has talked to more than 200,000 kids in 7 years. He loves the work and is motivated by his own experience. “I don't want anyone to go through the self-doubt I had as a kid which developed into low selfesteem and self-loathing.” Farmlands and I AM HOPE wish to foster more conversations about mental health this autumn. Expanding on the successful Gumboot Friday initiative, a Tractor Trek involving 20 “kitted out” tractors will travel nearly 2,000km from Invercargill to Kaitaia. Mike and a team of counsellors will be going the distance throughout March, parking up at 12 Farmlands stores along the way. The Trek aims to increase awareness of Gumboot Friday and ultimately raise $5 million to provide free counselling sessions for Kiwi youth. “Our Gumboot Friday Fund has had many requests from kids in small towns and rural New Zealand. One of the reasons we’re doing this Trek is to let families in those regions know that they’re not alone. We can help them. “Last year we rode scooters and as we went through rural areas people

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kept coming up to me and saying what about us? And I said, don't worry we won't forget you,” Mike recalls. At each Farmlands stop there will be gumboot games, a BBQ, special footwear deals and opportunities to donate. One lucky child will get the chance to win gumboots for their whole class – in time for Gumboot Friday. At each event, participants will hear from the 2019 New Zealander of the Year himself. “For almost every kid I speak to, I'm probably the only adult they've ever seen who's willing to talk openly about my many flaws. “Young people are aware of their mental health and many want help. Unfortunately, the cost of doing that privately is prohibitive and the wait for a state-funded psychologist can take weeks. That’s where Gumboot Friday can help,” he says. Farmlands joins other I AM HOPE partners supporting the Trek, including Skellerup, The Warehouse Group, FarmSource, Independent Brands and TR Trucks. “A co-operative acts for its members and that’s why it’s vital that talk about wellbeing turns to action,” Farmlands Chief Executive Officer Peter Reidie says.

| The Gumboot Friday Fund has had many requests from rural kids.

“We’re jumping in, boots and all, on the Tractor Trek and Gumboot Friday this year and I’m hopeful we will see a major ripple effect. We want to make a difference and we are confident our shareholders and customers will want to help too,” Peter says. As well as attending a Tractor Trek event (see page 14-15) you can:

“Kids are the future of food and fibre; they will steer the country’s course and be the backbone of Farmlands in years to come. An act as simple as wearing gumboots can help save the lives of youngsters who are struggling and reduce the stigma of asking for help.

• Make a donation on your Farmlands Card in-store all of March and on Gumboot Friday, 3rd April. • Pick up a new pair of Red Band* gumboots: $4 from every sale will go to I AM HOPE. *

Excludes Red Band Safety.

THE FARMLANDER | 13

TRACTOR

TREK

AITAIA From Bluff to K

Gumboot up NZ! This March meet special guest Mike King and the Tractor Trek crew as they pull into a Farmlands store near you, to raise much needed funds for kids’ counselling. For tour dates and more information visit www.farmlands.co.nz/iamhope

14 | THE FARMLANDER

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WALK THE WALK AND TALK THE TALK ON GUMBOOT FRIDAY Wear your gumboots on Friday 3rd April and give as generously as you can.

Gumboot Friday donations made easy! We’ve made it simple to give to Gumboot Friday, you can now donate on your Farmlands Card.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 15

THE RURAL INSURER WITH MORE RUBBER ON THE ROAD.

IED CUS TISF TO SA

ERS M

H INS OM URANCE T E & CONTEN

At FMG, we like to do business face to face whenever we can. Which is why we’ll often come to the farm to give you the advice and specialised insurance you need. And if we can’t, we’re always here to chat things over on the phone, person to person. It’s the kind of personalised service we’ve been providing for farmers all over New Zealand for over 110 years. And it’s something we’ll continue to do for many years to come. If that sounds like the kind of insurer you’d like to deal with, ask around about us. Or better still, call us now on 0800 366 466.

MO ST

AND ON OUR FEET.

We’re here for the good of the country.

16 | THE FARMLANDER

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CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

Agri-business interns spread their wings Launched last year, the AGMARDT AbacusBio international internship programme is one of those professional opportunities that is as rare as hen’s teeth. Catering for two interns plucked from their day job, the 5-month programme aims to develop the skills of future agri-business leaders. AbacusBio is a science consultancy business that straddles farming, science, strategy and technology. Their first programme recipient was agri-business graduate, Jack Keeys of Farmax, and in 2019 they expanded it to benefit two early-career managers. For the 2019/2020 AGMARDT Abacus Bio internship, those berths both went to Farmlanders. Leeston Business Manager, Emma Hinton, and Motueka Business Manager, Luke Fisher, were selected for their unique combination of skills and experience. The bonus being that the pair could partner up on their flagship project to deliver findings that will benefit Farmlands Co-operative and its shareholders. “Abacus initially weren’t sure about two from the same company however it has worked well with both of us being Farmlanders, as it has allowed us to tackle a bigger project than we could have done alone,” Emma says. Luke and Emma have tasked themselves with looking at ways to

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help Farmlands navigate the land-use changes that are starting to impact New Zealand, with a focus on regenerative farming and alternative crops. To start, the pair interned for 6 weeks in AbacusBio’s Dunedin office at the end of last year. There they visited local farms utilising regenerative farming approaches, attended talks at the University of Otago and participated in the Ag@Otago symposium on the 8th and 9th of December. “During our time in Dunedin we worked closely with Anna Campbell and Pete Fennessy to streamline our project idea, which changed several times over the 6-week period. The feedback was invaluable and has helped to identify what we will be looking at next,” Emma says. With offices in Rotorua, Dunedin and Edinburgh, AbacusBio gives the AGMARDT interns a unique opportunity to gain international experience in agri-tech, agri-food and agri-business spheres. “We worked with people of 16 different nationalities in the Dunedin office and in March and April this year we’ll head over to Edinburgh for 10 weeks to continue our internship at AbacusBio’s office there. As well as working on our project we will attend relevant conferences such as the Alltech Conference in Kentucky (USA), the

Future of Food Conference in Ireland and others in Berlin, London and Milan. "The opportunity to broaden my scope of understanding in New Zealand agriculture and the challenges facing it – not only on a national level, but also internationally – is what drove me to apply," Emma says. Emma has always been passionate about agriculture. She graduated in 2013 from Massey University with a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science, majoring in Equine. Emma worked for Animal Health Direct before joining Farmlands in Christchurch as a retail Salesperson. She has progressed to Assistant Manager and now Business Manager in Leeston. Originally from England, Luke emigrated to New Zealand in 2011 and has spent much of his management career in the fitness industry. "The opportunity to complement my management experience and grow my skillset in a different and diverse environment spurred me to apply for this internship," Luke says.  The Farmlander will report back on the international component of Luke and Emma’s AbacusBio internship later in the year. To find out more about the programme email acampbell@abacusbio.co.nz

THE FARMLANDER | 17

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TECHNOLOGY

Cyber security 101 Think 1920 New Zealand. The telephone was released as brand new technology, radio and newspapers were the primary forms of communication and the internet was but a speck in a distant computer-based future. Fast forward 100 years to 2020 and the internet has blown up to immense proportions. Communication is instant, relationships reach across the globe and huge amounts of personal information are entered into online platforms. Unfortunately, for all the convenience and connection the internet provides, there is a darker flipside. Each internet user leaves a digital footprint, or a record of their online activity. This activity can be accessed by criminals looking to use personal information for their own gain.

Online identity theft is when someone obtains personal information from another person without their consent, often using it for criminal purposes. The New Zealand National Cyber Security Centre recorded 339 cyber-security incidents from 30th June 2018 until 30th June 2019.

• T urn on ‘multifactor authentication’ for your online accounts (if they support them). This means that you will have to verify yourself twice or more when attempting to log into a site. An example of this could be answering a security or account recovery question that you have pre-set.

Email addresses in particular are a target for criminal activity, as they often serve as a base for additional internet connections such as bank accounts, social media and other online services. Protecting yourself from cyber-criminals is incredibly important to ensure your privacy, money and personal details stay safe.

• Make sure that answers to your account recovery questions are hard to guess. Your answers do not need to be factual, just something that you can remember e.g. what is your favourite fruit?

To reduce the chances of having your identity stolen online, the recommended cyber-security basics to follow are: • Avoid giving out too much personal information, whether on social media or by email. • Be suspicious of attachments sent with emails from someone you do not know.

• B e extra cautious when connecting your computer to unsecure networks, like those in free WiFi or internet cafés, as these are often recording all your activity.

• Be extra wary of emails claiming to be time sensitive, important or urging you to take immediate action.

Farmlands Chief Digital Officer, Richard Wilkinson places particular emphasis on online security.

• A lways update your phone and computer when new versions are available – these updates are often to fix security issues.

“Keeping yourself safe online is super important and not doing so can have big ramifications down the track,” Richard says.

• C hoose unique passwords for your online accounts — avoid using the same password for every account you have, otherwise, if someone gets access to one — they get access to all.

There are risks online but if steps are taken to mitigate them, the World Wide Web can be a hugely beneficial tool.

• D o not use passwords comprised of easily accessible information like the name of a pet or family member. • C onsider using a password manager to help keep them manageable and secure.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

You can find this software on Google; some password managers are free and some are subscription based. www.dashlane.com and www.enpass.io are two that have been used by Farmlands staff.

“Dodgy emails are the most popular method used to gain access to your information and systems, so the best rule of thumb is: if in doubt, delete. “A few proactive steps can help you and your wha-nau stay safe online,” he says. Article supplied by Farmlands Technology team.

THE FARMLANDER | 19

IS COMING TO TOWN

Next month Can-Am is coming to a town near you – register today for a free demo! Enjoy a no-obligation test drive on our class leading utility products Can-Am Defender side by side and Can-Am Outlander quad bike Get tips from experts, learn new skills and enjoy a BBQ with like-minded farmers Special offers and giveaways available on the day Register now and view more details at canamiscomingtotown.co.nz

WIN

A BRAND NEW OUTLANDER 450 PRO

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Clean water conversations deliver results When Taranaki Regional Council (TRC) started their ‘Transforming Taranaki’ Riparian Management Programme in 1996, conversations with farmers were much the same as they are now – expressing concern about the quality of the water, pasture run-off and erosion. The difference is, Taranaki farmers were discussing these issues 24 years ago, when Kiwis still floated in a clean, green haze.

Dr Elizabeth Graham from the National

Conversations about waterways in 2020 have impending government legislation adding a sense of urgency. Fortunately, Taranaki is already well ahead of the curve when it comes to fencing off and protecting the streams that cover the volcanic Ring Plain. More than 5.6 million native plants have been supplied to landowners since the scheme began, with farmers purchasing the plants under their overall farm costs.

waterways with planting.

Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) cites the programme as likely one of the largest and longest running restorative freshwater programmes in the world. It has seen 99.9 percent of Taranaki’s 1,800 dairy farms produce riparian plans which cover 15,000km of streambank. Those with plans have fenced 86.5 percent of their streams and protected 73.7 percent of The programme was lauded for its achievements in the 2019 Local Government NZ Excellence Awards, winning the Air New Zealand Award for Environmental Well-being. The beauty of the programme is that it has been primarily farmer-led with the Council providing riparian management plans and steady advice. As a result, trends between 1995 and 2018 have shown a 47 percent improvement and no deterioration in river ecology over 57 sites. Land Services Manager for the TRC, Don Shearman, says that the voluntary riparian management strategy was developed in consultation with the public. “Farmers were against regulation because they considered themselves guardians of the land and would fence and plant waterways anyway. It was agreed that the public would fund the free planning services and ongoing support because everyone had an interest in better water quality.” Don and his team stress the winwin nature of the programme – by

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mitigating the environmental effects of pasture run-off, farmers are futureproofing their businesses while improving water quality and biodiversity at the same time. Don believes relationships between the Council and Taranaki’s farming community have strengthened as a result of the one-on-one support from Land Management Officers and continued advocacy from Council leaders. In regard to the Government’s proposed regulations, the Council is currently tailoring actions to individual farm circumstances. Don reports that locals are concerned with the Government’s plans. “The region and its farmers over a long time have demonstrated a strong commitment to improving freshwater health through the likes of its riparian programme. The Government's ‘one size fits all’ proposal for the likes of stock exclusion is not required in the Taranaki context and has the potential to add cost and complexity for no improved outcome,” Don says. The Council’s riparian programme is now only a few years from completion and the TRC strongly encourages farmers to continue implementing the fencing and planting commitments they have made. By starting a conversation with farmers 24 years ago, the Taranaki Regional Council has nurtured vital relationships and united the community towards achieving improved water quality, for the benefit of all. For more learnings from the award-winning regional scheme visit www.trc.govt.nz

THE FARMLANDER | 21

JOIN US AT HORSE OF THE YEAR Farmlands will have an amazing range of hot-to-trot equine offers on apparel and animal health products. You’ll also get top nutritional advice from NRM and McMillan. WHEN: 10th – 15th March 2020 WHERE: Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds COME VISIT US AT SITE F15

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Plus, pre-order your feed before you arrive and you’ll go into the draw to get your order free* * visit www.farmlands.co.nz/hoy to order today.

22 | THE FARMLANDER

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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.

Nutrition for optimum coat shine One of the most important goals for owners of show and performance horses is to achieve a shiny healthy coat that stands out against their competitors. As well as grooming, in order for any horse to achieve a shimmering coat it must be on a sound nutritional programme. Coat health that can be seen from the outside, through shine and dapples, is often an accurate indication of the health of the horse on the inside. This is because coat quality is frequently the first sign of decline in a horse that is receiving inadequate nutrition and missing certain nutrient requirements. Along with adequate energy and protein, there are specific trace minerals and vitamins that play important roles in coat integrity and condition. Nutrients such as copper, zinc and manganese are essential for promoting and maintaining a healthy skin and coat from the inside out. Copper is responsible for the normal production and maintenance of skin and hair pigmentation, and zinc and manganese assist with wound healing and epidermal (skin) cell maintenance through cell division, protein synthesis and antioxidant activity. McMillan Feeds not only contain appropriate levels of these nutrients to meet requirements, if fed at the correct level, but they also provide them in specific, highly bioavailable forms. These nutrients are provided by a product called Availa®4 from Zinpro Performance Minerals®, which is a scientifically formulated

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| Nutrients are essential for promoting and maintaining a horse’s healthy skin and coat from the inside out.

blend of organic zinc, manganese, copper and cobalt. Availa®4 is built on a unique, patented molecule that consists of one metal ion bound to one amino acid ion – called a metal amino acid complex – which means more of the minerals are absorbed by the animal to deliver their full benefit for coat shine and overall health. Feeding any McMillan feed therefore provides your horse with a complete balanced diet, as well as Availa®4 from Zinpro Performance Minerals® which supplies premium nutrients to achieve that standout show ring shine. As well as these key nutrients, the addition of fat to the horse’s diet can significantly boost skin and

coat health. Fat can be included in the diet through feeding a high-fat feed or adding suitable digestible fat sources, such as vegetable oil or stabilised rice bran. McMillan feeds contain cold-pressed canola oil for a high-quality fat source that contains a suitable balance of omega three and six fatty acids. McMillan Grain Free is a fabulous option for a high-fibre feed that contains both significant fat levels (through cold-pressed canola oil) and highly bioavailable Zinpro Performance Minerals®. For further information, contact a Nutrition Specialist. Article supplied by Farmlands Equine Nutritionist Luisa Wood.

THE FARMLANDER | 23

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NUTRITION

Chicken Chatter As a Nutritionist, a great part of my job is helping farmers get the best out of their animals. I get a lot of questions from people new to keeping chickens, so I thought it was worth sharing some answers. Do I have to offer my chickens oyster shell grit if they are on a layer feed? There is adequate calcium in most high-quality layer feeds to satisfy a laying bird’s calcium requirement and maintain good eggshell quality. However, if birds have access to lower calcium feeds (e.g. foraging or household scraps), providing access to oyster shell grit can be a good idea. Oyster shell grit can also aid gizzard function as it helps to grind up food. This is a bonus but not a necessity, as chickens tend to pick up gritty bits from the environment while free ranging. Oyster shell grit should be supplied ad-lib in a separate container and not sprinkled on top of feed. My chickens are losing their feathers – what is going on? There are a few things that could be happening so get your detective hat on. • Your chickens could be going through a moult, where they lose then regrow their feathers. It usually happens as day length shortens heading into winter. Chickens going through a moult tend to go off the lay and it can be worthwhile to move heavily moulting chickens onto a lower calcium feed such as NRM Pullet Grower Pellets, until they have regrown their feathers and are just about ready to start laying again. • Chickens could be getting bullied by other chickens. Whilst jostling for pecking order is normally harmless, occasionally it can turn into bullying and hens get targeted.

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This behaviour can increase due to boredom and/or not enough coop space. One trick is to occupy chickens with other things to peck at such as a pumpkin with holes drilled in it or some of their layer feed sprinkled outside. To protect target chickens, cover their bare skin with anti-pecking spray. • You could have a lice or red mite issue. Lice are easy to spot on your chickens, but red mite are harder to find as they live in the coop and appear during the night to suck blood from chickens. Take a torch out to the coop in the evening and if you spot any, head to your local Farmlands store for a suitable treatment option. Do I have to use a pullet feed for my chicks as they get older? No, you don’t have to move chicks over to a pullet grower feed – but it is the best thing to do if you want to grow great chickens to enter your laying flock. When chicks get to 6–8 weeks old, best practice is to transition them from NRM Chick Starter Crumble over to NRM Pullet Grower Pellets to ensure they keep growing well without becoming overly fat. Pullet feed generally does not contain a coccidiostat (which is found in most chick starter feeds) so if pullets do start laying eggs early, as long as they have been on the Pullet Grower for a minimum of 14 days, their eggs are safe for human consumption. Aim to transfer pullets to layer feed just before they start laying. For more information contact your NRM Nutrition Specialist or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Stacey Cosnett, NRM Nutritionist.

THE FARMLANDER | 25

Get our adjuvant advantage

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Designed to improve agrichemical performance and increase application efficiency, your spraying needs are covered when you choose from the Nufarm SprayWise range.

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Visit your local Farmlands store today and ask about the Nufarm SprayWise adjuvant range.

Pulse is a registered trademark of Nufarm Technologies USA Pty Ltd, ®Bonza is a registered trademark of Nufarm Limited ™Contact is a trademark of Nufarm Limited, ®Amigo and Flume are registered trademarks of Nufarm Australia Limited

26 | THE FARMLANDER

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NUTRITION

Biosecurity matters Ironically the tiniest of organisms – bacteria, fungi and viruses – can inflict some of the greatest physical and economic harm to our livestock sectors.

allow a proper health assessment

Close to 100,000 cattle were culled in the first year alone of the Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme. In September 2019, Type 1 bursal disease virus (IBDV Type 1) was confirmed on two Otago hen farms which meant that meatbird producers could no longer send product to Australia although none of their own birds were affected. New diseases to New Zealand such as African swine fever, coronavirus and bird flu could appear and spread on the back of a lack of knowledge and awareness.

or in your region. Animal Status

With these examples in mind, good biosecurity should not be isolated to airport arrivals. The areas of best practice below can help to keep your own stock free from pests and diseases, in addition to helping safeguard the wider economy. 1. Animal contact Animal contact is the main risk to stock so try to minimise the movement of stock in and out of your farm. A closed herd policy may not be possible but understanding the animal health status of the farm where stock will be purchased from is recommended. Quarantining new stock for at least 2 weeks can

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some degree of cleaning and disinfecting as part of their biosecurity measures.1 Use bowls and troughs to prevent faecal contamination and clean and disinfect regularly.

to be made. Restrict movement on and off your block especially if disease has been identified, or is even suspected, on your farm Declarations (ASDs) should be completed when animals are moved between properties, to help track down animals if disease appears. This action applies to: cattle, deer, sheep, pigs, ostriches, emus, horses, alpacas and llamas. 2. Pest deterrence

NRM recommends the use of Virkon S — a broad-spectrum disinfectant that kills all viruses, bacteria and fungi known to affect animals. This is the preferred product employed overseas against African swine fever, coronavirus, IBVD and bird flu. This disinfectant: • Cleans and disinfects in one operation

Deter pests, rodents and birdlife by keeping the area around pens free of debris, spilled feed and standing

• Is a fast-acting pathogen that kills in 30 seconds – 2 minutes

water. Manage pests to control rodent and insect populations

• Is safe for humans and to spray in the presence of animals

– especially in the dairy, rearing sheds, poultry pens and feed

• Is independently proven against hundreds of strains of viruses, bacteria, fungi and yeasts

storage areas. Overall, free-range production systems do expose birds and pigs to a greater risk of infection

• MPI-approved against M. bovis

carried by wild birds.

• MAF-approved for exotic diseases

3. Cleanliness Diseases can spread through people, vehicles and equipment so minimise traffic and clean and disinfect vehicles or equipment carefully before sharing with other properties or allowing contact to your stock. A survey of lifestyle farms by MPI reported only 45 percent of respondents performed

Anyone with farm animals or poultry should see themselves as part of the human food chain and recognise their role in food safety and sustainability. 1) Vink, D., Newitt, J., Van Andel, M., Rodwell, C. (2017) Hands off my lifestyle? Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to biosecurity and animal health surveillance in New Zealand’s smallholder sector. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Animal Health Surveillance, Rotorua, New Zealand. Article supplied by Dr Rob Derrick, NRM Lead Nutritionist.

THE FARMLANDER | 27

GET OUT & GRAB 2020 NORTHLAND FIELD DAYS

5–7 MARCH Dargaville Northland Field Days showcases everything from tractors of the 1940s to the latest farming innovations and technology, inviting visitors from around the region and New Zealand. northlandfielddays.co.nz

HORSE OF THE YEAR

Get the low-down on what’s happening in your patch and make a day of it! Visit www.farmlands.co.nz/events for more information.

28 | THE FARMLANDER

10 – 15 MARCH Hawke's Bay The annual Land Rover Horse of the Year is New Zealand’s premier equestrian competition, featuring a range of horse and rider combinations from multiple disciplines. With over 1,400 riders and 1,800 horses competing for lucrative titles and prize money, the show is a feature on all equestrian calendars. hoy.kiwi

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

EVENTS 2020

MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDAR 5–7 MAR NORTHLAND FIELD DAYS

WANAKA A&P SHOW

AGFEST

13 – 14 MARCH

27 – 28 MARCH

Wanaka Showgrounds

Greymouth

The Wanaka A&P Show is an iconic community event for Wanaka and the Southern Lakes. The advice and products on offer have grown the event into one of national significance.

Farmlands AgFest West Coast is an event that recognises the importance of the agricultural sector on the West Coast.

wanakashow.co.nz

19–21 MAR CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS

27–28 MAR

10–15 MAR

AGFEST

HORSE OF THE YEAR

Celebrating the agricultural industry and its significance to businesses around the Coast, AgFest is an event that touches the hearts of many. agfest.co.nz

13–14 MAR WANAKA A&P SHOW

3 APR GUMBOOT FRIDAY

CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS

GUMBOOT FRIDAY

19 – 21 MARCH

3 APRIL

INNOV ATION

Nationwide

Feilding The Central Districts Field Days is one of the largest regional agricultural events in the country. Showcasing over 600 exhibitors, the event has plenty to offer to all visitors, from farmers to foodies. The latest trends and developments in rural innovation, agribusiness and agritech will be on show and with special deals exclusive to the event, visitors can stock up on elite products at great prices.

Having depression is like walking through mud every day. So on Friday 3 April, we ask you to show your support, put your gumboots on, give a gold coin, and take a walk in others shoes for just one day.

A&P SHOWS

DEALS

COMPE TITION S

FIELD DAYS TECHNICAL ADVICE

It’s a fun way for kiwis to join in the mental health conversation, while raising money to provide FREE and timely counselling for any kid in need. iamhope.org.nz

cdfielddays.co.nz

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THE FARMLANDER | 29

2020 FARMLANDS TOURS

Fully escorted tours, organised exclusively for shareholders. A TASTE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN LADIES TOUR ESCORTED BY ANNABELLE WHITE from $

10,995pp

Based on share twin/double accommodation

DEPARTS 25 MAY 2020 I 14 DAY TOUR

Economy class flights Auckland – Singapore – Milan – Singapore – Auckland • 2-day stopover in Singapore, including hotel accommodation, breakfast, 2 dinners, and a half-day sightseeing excursion • A half-day sightseeing excursion in Milan • 3 nights in the beautiful Italian coastal town of Santa Margherita, including hotel accommodation, all breakfasts and dinners, and sightseeing excursions to Portofino and Cinque Terre (tipping included) • A 7-night MSC Italy, Spain and France Mediterranean Cruise, based on a balcony cabin (tipping included) **Bookings close 31 March**

CALIFORNIA, NEVADA AND ARIZONA FARMING & SIGHTSEEING TOUR PERSONALLY HOSTED BY PAUL & GAYE ALLISON from $

15,790 pp

Based on share twin/double accommodation

Economy class flights from Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland to Phoenix, then San Francisco to Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland • A 16 day especially chartered coach tour of California, Nevada, and Arizona • All sightseeing and inclusions as per the day-to-day itinerary • All breakfasts and dinners • A wide range of farm visits & experiences **Bookings close 31 March**

DEPARTS 04 JUNE 2020 I 18 DAY TOUR

MELBOURNE ‘RACING, WINE, SHOPPING, CRICKET & FARMING’ TOUR PERSONALLY ESCORTED BY JAMIE & PENNY MACKAY

Tour Cost TBA Economy Class flights Auckland – Melbourne return • 6 nights Melbourne hotel accommodation (twin or double share) • All breakfasts • Yarra Valley Excursion • Farm Visits • Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington • Black Caps v Australia Twenty20 World Cup match at the MCG

©Tourism Victoria

DEPARTS 01 NOVEMBER I 7 DAY TOUR Tax Deductibility; Remember, if you are farming, or a farm related contractor, the USA, and Melbourne Tours are partly tax deductible. The return international flights, and every day that has a farm visit or farm related experience are fully tax-deductible - meaning a considerable saving off the tour price.

FOR INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS CONTACT HOUSE OF TRAVEL LAKERS L AKE RS CNR DON & KELVIN STREETS I 03 214 3500 L AKERGROUPS@HOT.CO.NZ GORE 30 MAIN STREET I 03 208 9308 I GORE@HOT.CO.NZ

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THE FARMLANDER | 31

Jesse Mulligan’s rat trapping 101

Words like conservation and ecosystem used to make Jesse Mulligan’s eyes glaze over. Now he is on a mission to rid New Zealand of rats and has some handy hints on how to get involved. Why am I reading about rats? Because you have rats in your backyard. Every night when you close the backdoor and retreat inside, big swollen rats wander over your lawn and eat whatever seeds, insects and birds they come across. They climb fences and trees, dive into ponds and burrow into woodpiles, devouring any protein they can find. They have been doing it for a couple of hundred years now and, because of this, New Zealand has one of the worst extinction rates of any country on the planet. We don’t have any rats at my place. Yes, you have rats. Ask John Innes, who is one of our national experts on the topic. If a rat is doing its job, says John, you will never know it is there. In fact, we didn’t quite realise the damage they were doing to our birdlife until motion sensor night vision cameras were invented in the 1990s and we suddenly saw with our own eyes what

32 | THE FARMLANDER

was happening each night when the sun went down. If things are so bad why haven’t I heard about it? That is what I asked when I found out about this. Thing is, anybody who knows anything is desperately worried about the impact of rats on our ecosystem and is telling everybody they know. But it’s not leading the news at 6pm every night, because it is chronic and continuous. Chronic, continuous problems don’t work well in the media. Sorry, you just used the word “ecosystem”. I think I might have dropped off to sleep for a few seconds. I know. I was just like you. All these words – ecosystem, conservation, environmentalism – they’re all massive yawn-jobs. Here is the simplest way I can put it – because we have been separated from the world for so many millions of years, New Zealand has some of the most interesting, weird and important living species on the planet. But the rats are eating all of them and soon our country will be a barren wasteland.

So what can I do? Great question! Buy a rat trap and put it in your backyard. If you put some good bait in it, you will catch a rat. And every rat killed is one less mouth to feed with our beautiful and taxonomically significant native animals and plants. What sort of trap would you suggest? The Victor is useful though some of the bigger rats don’t realise they are dead until sometime after they leave. Victor Snap Trap: this is a large version of what you picture when you think of a mouse trap. I have had good success with these though often the bigger Norway rats will escape the trap after impact and end up dying a few metres away. For humaneness and killing effectiveness I would give this an 8/10. DOC 200: this is a precisely engineered killing machine. You put the bait on the other side of a sort of kitchen scale device, so when the rat steps over it the weight triggers a springing mechanism which slams down over the rat with the weight of ten shipping containers. It is 10/10 for humaneness and effectiveness, plus it’s comparatively cheap and you can see it working.

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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Like the Victor, you will want to have it housed in some sort of box so that it poses no danger for children or pets. Goodnature traps: for all their advantages, there is some clean up involved with Victor and DOC200 traps when you’re inevitably required to remove the dead rat from its steel-encased deathbed, often having to pull it by the tail from its wiry boxed enclosure. The elegantly New Zealanddesigned Goodnature traps have no such gore, mostly because the rat is killed with a lightning-fast bolt to the head. It then drops to the ground and is usually scavenged by some other animal before you even see it (I recommend buying the optional kill counter which lets you know how many times the thing has gone off, or you will have no idea). The bonus with this trap is it resets itself, making it very popular with professionals trapping in remote locations. It’s all starting to sound a bit hard, mate. Put it this way, if you like to see what you have killed, if you are budget conscious and don’t mind some mild clean-up work, go for the DOC 200. If you are not concerned about price, don’t want to be checking it all the time and have an eye for design beauty, go for world-leading New Zealand start-up Goodnature. What sort of bait should I use? Goodnature provides their own bait, some sort of chocolatey mix. But, if you are using a mechanical trap, peanut butter on its own or mixed with oats seem to be a good bet. One species of rat likes carbohydrates, the other likes protein so the combination might work well. By the way, if you are using peanut butter go for the cheap supermarket stuff with the extra salt and sugar.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Wait, what was that about “species of rat”?

and how to kill them. In my defence,

New Zealand has two distinct types of rat (well actually three, but there aren’t many kiore left): the Norway rat and the darker, smaller ship rat. I personally seem to catch mostly Norways at home (a dozen or so over the last year in my suburban backyard) but it seems to vary around the country. The Norways are much bigger and more likely to slip the lightweight Victor traps due to their sheer mass. The ship rats are great climbers, but the Norways can swim. So between them, they are not good news for any native creature trying to escape.

properly and start to kill a few, you

Wow, are we still talking about rats? I feel like I’ve been reading this article for months now.

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

I’m sorry. I have ended up unreasonably fascinated with rats

I reckon that if you buy a trap, set it will begin to feel the same way. Isn’t it a bit sick, putting this much energy into killing something? I hear you. It’s not the rat’s fault it’s a rat. But it has come to the wrong country. Our birds, insects and plants spent millions of years evolving to survive local threats but they stand no chance against a predatory mammal they haven’t had five minutes to prepare for. When it comes to survival, it is the rats or everything else. Time for you to decide which side you are on.

Article supplied by RNZ.

THE FARMLANDER | 33

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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Serious pest control prevents spread Rodents spoil food, spread disease and cause damage by fouling and gnawing. Although rodents become more visible and annoying in autumn when their numbers are high and they are looking for new homes to escape the colder weather, sensible rodent control involves year-round preventative action to keep populations in check. Rats and mice prefer fresh, highquality foods and will reject spoiled or low-palatability foods when given a choice, so bait selection is important. The Pestoff Rodent Block bait uses a cereal base with brodifacoum as the active ingredient. The chocolate lure is also proven to be very effective. This year sees the Pestoff Block take a giant leap forward; its improvements are now available for consumers and will provide many benefits, including: • A new and improved manufacturing system has enabled the same high-quality product to be produced in a more consistent size and shape. • The new block design has ’gnaw grooves’ which make it easier for rodents to get their teeth into. Rodents are known to like to eat away on the edges of things. Controlling rodent numbers with a proactive pest control programme helps to reduce the number of predators on our farms, around bush lines and other native areas. Pestoff Rodent Blocks and Pellets applied in bait stations are a potent solution. The highly palatable and freshly made bait provides a single lethal dose.

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The use of a Pestoff Bait Station ensures that the Pestoff Rodent Block remains fresh, clean and dry. The bait cannot be removed by the rodent, so non-target species and children cannot gain access to the bait. The benefits of using a bait station and block bait together ensures an effective kill is achieved with little effort. Tips for successful eradication • Do not handle bait with bare hands as rodents are suspicious of human scent and may avoid bait that has been touched. • E nsure rodents do not have access to alternative food such as stock feed, garbage or human food scraps. • M aintain fresh bait by checking and replacing every two to three days initially and later, every week or two. • B e particularly vigilant during autumn, when the first cool and wet weather arrives, as this usually drives rodents indoors seeking shelter and food.

| A new and improved manufacturing system has enabled the same high-quality product to be produced in a more consistent size and shape.

“

Controlling rodent numbers with a proactive pest control programme helps to reduce the number of predators on our farms, around bush lines and other native areas.”

• T o protect non-target animals from secondary poisoning, collect any dead rodent bodies and burn or bury them. Spoiled or unwanted bait should be disposed of in a similar manner. • W here infestation is heavy and localised, use up to five bait stations per 100 square metres (10 x 10). In light infestation areas, place one bait station per 100 square metres.

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

A range of Rodent Bait pack sizes are available to suit your requirements.

THE FARMLANDER | 35

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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Combat autumn’s animal health challenges With warm weather and late summer rains, the autumn provides great opportunities for growth in your newly weaned beef weaners. These favourable conditions can also cause animal health challenges that can suppress this growth and even cause deaths among your valuable young stock. With good management these losses can be prevented. Good pasture growth conditions in autumn equal ideal conditions for the survival of gastrointestinal parasites on pasture. This can create a considerable build-up of infective larvae challenging your beef weaners and depressing growth. These losses are often under-rated and by the time you see

the clinical signs, such as scouring, a parasite burden may have already caused considerable reductions in growth rates. There are two main parasite species we are concerned about in young cattle in New Zealand. Cooperia sp. is particular to young stock, with significant burdens on pasture building up in the autumn thus depressing appetite and growth. Cooperia sp. is resistant to the ML or mectin family of drenches which are widespread. Levamisole is the only active that has retained good efficacy against this species.1 Then there is Ostertagia sp. which are the most harmful worms in cattle of all ages. The ML drenches are best for the control of Ostertagia – particularly the potent active abamectin. Converge® is an ideal choice for beef weaners as it contains both levamisole and abamectin. For extra protection from resistance we have Alliance®, a triple combination that contains oxfendazole on top of levamisole and abamectin. Both of these drenches can also be used in your sheep, keeping things simple and reducing wastage. Although pour-on drenches are seen as being more convenient, studies have shown that their efficacy can be variable, with many factors limiting the absorption of the drench.2,3 Oral drenches are the most cost-effective way to drench your stock, combatting resistance and ensuring excellent growth rates in your beef weaners.

| There are two main parasite species in New Zealand that drenching programmes need to combat in young cattle.

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combination oral drenches every 4 weeks through the autumn, prevents the build-up of infective larvae on your pasture, reducing the parasite challenge and any associated losses in beef cattle. Talk to your animal health advisor about putting a good preventative programme for parasite control in place at the start of the autumn. Protection against clostridial disease is also an important consideration for your beef weaners this autumn. Clostridial diseases in cattle include malignant oedema, tetanus, pulpy kidney, black disease and blood poisoning. These diseases are caused by bacteria found everywhere in the environment and often the first you will see of these diseases is the sudden death of the biggest calves. Prevention by vaccination is your only option and Multine® 5-in-1, developed and manufactured in New Zealand is an excellent choice. Full protection with Multine requires an initial sensitiser and then a booster 4–6 weeks later. For further information, talk to your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by MSD Coopers. ACVM No: A10119, A10249, A000934 ®Registered trademark. Schering-Plough Animal Health Ltd. NZ/ CVG/0118/0001a.

A good preventative drenching programme, using effective

1. Waghorn, T S et al. Prevalence of anthelmintic resistance on 62 beef cattle farms in the North Island of New Zealand NZVJ, 54 (6), 278-282 2006. 2. Leathwick, D M & Miller, C M. Efficacy of oral, injectable and pour-on formulations of moxidectin against gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle in New Zealand. Veterinary Parasitology 191 (2013) 293-300. 3. Forsyth, BA et al. Seasonal variation in anthelmintic response by cattle to dermally applied Levamisole. AVJ60, (5), 1983.

THE FARMLANDER | 39

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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Why drenching earlier beats waiting for dry off Dry off is not far away, so set your cows up for this now by making them efficient eating machines. Cows are fantastic converters of grass to energy and protein. While milking, they are uber athletes with over 400L of blood pumping through the udder to make one litre of milk. Any factor that hinders this process will decrease her efficiency. Parasites are one of these hindrances. Protein and energy are diverted from milk production to the immune system. Those extra kilos of milk solids may be lost as the energy is used to prevent infective larvae establishing or for the removal of the adult parasites. The greatest larval challenge generally occurs in autumn, simply because conditions are more favourable for their survival and development. Warm temperatures with some moisture or moisture following a drought are perfect. Last year saw extremely wormy pastures in late autumn and even over winter, due to favourable environmental conditions. Although adult cattle are not affected by parasites to the degree that young stock are, their sub-clinical losses affecting milk yield, weight gain and appetite, do have significant economic impacts. In order to optimise production and performance we need to maximise cow intake and feed utilisation. Ideally, cows should be treated when they are facing the parasite challenge, instead of waiting until dry off. Treating cows midâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;late lactation or pre-dry off is possible with Cydectin Pour On, due to its nil milk and meat withholdings. Unlike most other drenches, its

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

| A The greatest larval challenge generally occurs in autumn, simply because conditions are more favourable for them.

long-lasting activity protects cows for up to 35 days from the infective larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi (the most important gastrointestinal worm in cattle) and up to 42 days against lungworm. The production effects of Cydectin Pour On have been studied in New Zealand at different times of the year.1 Even when the parasite egg output of cows was very low, a production response was found. Whether treating at late lactation or at dry off, treated cows produced on average, an additional 4kg milk solids compared to their untreated herd mates. On the flip side, we need to be careful how we use drenches so that they continue to be useful in the future. Ideally, we should be targeting those cows that are really in need of a treatment and will likely give us the

best return, while leaving a proportion of cows undrenched, in order to slow drench resistance. There is no perfect test available to help us decide which cows to choose to drench, but common sense would suggest targeting cows such as those that are young, high producing, that have been sick or compromised in some way and/or are in low body condition. Using the right drench, timed correctly and working for the right length of time can improve the health of your animals and your bottom line. For further information, talk to your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Zoetis New Zealand Limited. Cydectin is a registered trademark of Zoetis. ACVM No. A6203. 1. Murphy, A. The effect of treatment with moxidectin, a long acting endectocide, on milk production in lactating dairy cows, Buiatrics World Congress, 1998.

THE FARMLANDER | 41

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THE FARMLANDER | 45

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

Maintaining healthy soil biology In the last of a series of articles covering the three dimensions of soil – physical, chemical and biological – our Forage Specialist outlines soil’s biological dimension. The live biological fraction of soil is a small but very important part of the total soil; it is what makes the difference between soil and dirt. Healthy soil contains a huge amount of life; just a teaspoon reputedly holds three to five billion organisms. From smallest to largest, these include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, arthropods and earthworms. It is said that all the soil organisms in just 1 ha of land weigh as much as two to three cows.

Alive and healthy, these organisms bring tremendous value but if soil is not looked after a large proportion die, reducing ecosystem services and production potential. Like us, most of them require oxygen from the 25 percent of soil that is air. Compacted or poorly drained soils are not conducive to good air movement and soil health. For most of the last 100 years, soils have been seen as something to be dominated to conform to our demands using a multitude of efficient mechanical tools, which do not help to keep soil organisms alive. Imagine the environmental disruption caused to soil ecosystems by the passing of a power harrow.

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Soil fungi access nutrients by using very long hyphae (filaments) to expand the range of roots. These fungal hyphae and spores exude glue-like glomalin which helps to create soil peds that form the structure of a healthy, freedraining and aerated soil. Cultivation destroys peds and disrupts the fungi’s glomalin production thus slowing down ped formation. It also upsets the pest/ predator balance, potentially resulting in explosions of New Zealand grass grub, for example. How can you keep soil organisms healthy? There are four key ways to support healthy, productive soil:

What do soil organisms do?

1. Leave it undisturbed (uncultivated).

Pull a plant out of healthy soil and the soil on its roots will be alive with organisms living, feeding, releasing plant-available nutrients, being consumed and ultimately dying in the rhizosphere (root zone).

2. Keep it covered with growing vegetation. This protects the soil and live roots support soil organisms.

Worms take in soil and organic matter (including dead leaf material and animal dung from the surface), strip out what they want and eject the rest as fine soil particles, full of bacteria and soluble nutrients (worm castings or dung). The channels they create in the soil allow water infiltration and root growth.

| The biological portion of soil is small but vital and includes billions of organisms, from bacteria to earthworms.

into the soil through their roots to feed organisms that bring them value.

Soil organisms live on soil organic matter, other organisms (dead or alive), dead leaf and root material, live root material and the 20-30 percent of protein and carbohydrates plants create by photosynthesis and exude

3. Grow a variety of species, as different species support different organisms. 4. Maintain good fertility to enable plants to grow more and produce more waste leaf/root material and to feed more exudates to soil organisms. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Ballance Agri-Nutrients Forage Specialist Murray Lane.

THE FARMLANDER | 47

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RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Expanding your electric fencing power options When you live an hour’s drive from your property, keeping your stock where they should be is something you do not want to worry about. Farmer Stefan Robinson’s unit has been running electric fences on his 40-hectare lease block at Mount Bruce, one hour from his home farm in Featherston. Stefan says the unit is keeping his stock where they are supposed to be and has a powerful ally to thank for that. Gallagher’s new MBS400 Energizer works using any power source, mains, battery or solar, giving Stefan options he did not have in the past. “I hadn’t used a solar unit before. The previous ones we’ve used have just been plug-in mains units. It’s simple – you just switch between solar, electrical and battery sources. “It’s really easy to set up and you can just leave it to do its thing. We’re getting good power out of the unit and the stock are staying where they should be,” Stefan says. The smaller electrical unit he had been using was not getting enough power onto the hills at the back of the lease property, so he bought the MBS400 Energizer.

“

We’re getting good power out of the unit and the stock are staying where they should be.”

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“I just pick it up and put it anywhere on the property. You don’t need to worry about having mains power at the back of your property.”

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Stefan is using the unit to power about half of the property and it proved its worth during a recent power failure, which took out power to most of the fences.

• It is portable, water-resistant and has built-in lightning protection

“Because the MBS400 Energizer is a solar unit, I could just change it over to solar which meant there was still power over most of my land.” The unit is designed to cover up to 16 hectares or 30 kilometres of fencing and it is reliable, no matter what power source you choose to use.

• LED bar graphs on the unit to indicate fence performance and battery life

• A smart battery management algorithm also protects the battery from being over-discharged and permanently damaged. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Gallagher.

THE FARMLANDER | 49

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THE FARMLANDER | 51

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RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Electric fencing installation made easier

It is well known that cows are a great example of the “grass is always greener on the other side” policy; loosening or removing battens if they ever get the chance. At this time of year, maintaining and installing electric fences is often an important but time-consuming task on the endless to-do list. Manually attaching insulators to fence posts with a hammer requires hours of hard work, often putting strain on your body and causing damage to the wire, staple and insulator. Delfast’s new insulator adaptors are making electric fencing installation faster and easier, enabling Kiwi farmers and fencing contractors to get more done in a day. Whanganui fencing contractor, John Blake, was quick to see the benefits of the new range of insulator adaptors to reduce time at each fence post. “We often have a lot of insulators to apply in a job, so having the Delfast stapler and insulator adaptor to apply these will speed up the job hugely. We are looking forward to using these,” John says.

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Delfast has developed a range of insulator adaptors engineered to suit their new Cordless Post Stapler. Farmers and fencing contractors can now accurately fire staples through insulators into fence posts with the Delfast Post Stapler, avoiding damage to the wire or insulator and prolonging the life of each staple. It takes less than 5 seconds to staple each insulator, giving users the speed, accuracy and power to minimise downtime and ultimately get more done in the day. “We work closely with local fencing contractors and their expertise helps us to innovate with new solutions and improve our existing products,” Delfast National Sales Director, James Currie says. “Developing a new solution for installing electric fence insulators was a logical next step when we launched our post staplers in December last year.” Delfast engineered the five insulator adaptors to suit 11 types of insulators on the market, from leading brands Gallagher®, Strainrite®, Speedrite®, Pel® and Beattie®. Each insulator adaptor is colour coded to match the insulator

brand and is easily attached to the Cordless Post Stapler without any tool adjustments. Made from highly durable mild steel with high-ductile and impact strength, the insulator adaptors have a high resistance to breakage. Delfast saw the need for a powerful and efficient insulator installation system that is simple to use. “All it requires is a simple, tool-free adjustment to attach the insulator adaptors to the post stapler. Engineering the system to be hassle free when you’re on the farm was really important for us. There’s no need for screws or any tools, simply remove the nose piece on the stapler and replace with the required insulator adaptor,” James explains. The Delfast 4.00mm Post Stapler and Insulator Adaptor range are used for livestock fencing, horticulture, heavy mesh installation and predator control fencing. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Delfast.

THE FARMLANDER | 53

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For full terms and conditions, offer end date and a full list of exclusions please refer to www.bridgestonetyres.co.nz/farmlands or see in-store. Buy 1 get 1 half price promotion valid from Monday, 2 March 2020 to Tuesday, 31 March 2020. The offer applies to selected sizes within For full termsTuranza and conditions, date and a fullpatterns list of exclusions please refer to www.bridgestonetyres.co.nz/farmlands or see in-store. Bridgestone Serenity.offer This end excludes all other outside of this range and all commercial tyres. Offer applies to the purchase of Buy tyres 1 get fitted 1 halfto price valid from Monday, 2 value Marchtyre 2020 March 2020. The offer applies to selected sizes within two one promotion vehicle. In all instances the lowest willto beTuesday, given half31price. Bridgestone Turanza Serenity. This excludes all other patterns outside of this range and all commercial tyres. Offer applies to the purchase of Buy 3 get 1 free price promotion valid from Monday, 2 March 2020 to Tuesday, 31 March 2020. The offer applies to selected Bridgestone two tyres fitted to one vehicle. all tyres, instances lowest value tyre will be given half price. and Firestone branded car andIn 4x4 and the selected sizes within Ecopia van tyres. This excludes all other patterns outside of this range and Buy 3 get 1 free priceOffer promotion Monday, 2 March 31 March 2020. The applies selected Bridgestone all commercial tyres. appliesvalid to thefrom purchase of four tyres2020 fitted to to Tuesday, one vehicle. In all instances theoffer lowest valuetotyres will be given free and Firestone branded car and 4x4 tyres, and selected sizes within Ecopia van tyres. This excludes all other patterns outside of this range and of charge. all commercial Offer applies to the purchase of four tyres to one vehicle.2020. In all Offer instances the to lowest value tyres will be given free $100 cashbacktyres. promotion valid from Monday, 2 March 2020 tofitted Tuesday, 31 March applies the purchase of four Firestone car of charge. tyres in one transaction and on one invoice per vehicle. Eligible customers will receive the discount off invoice in store at the time of purchase $100 cashback valid from Monday, 2 March 2020 Tuesday, 31 March 2020. Offer applies to of thethis purchase of four Firestone car (including GST).promotion The offer applies selected Firestone car tyrestowhich excludes all other patterns outside range and all 4x4, van and tyres in one transaction and on one invoice per vehicle. Eligible customers will receive the discount off invoice in store at the time of purchase commercial tyres. (including GST). The offer applies selected Firestone car tyres which excludes all other patterns outside of this range and all 4x4, van and General promotion terms and conditions: Some additional size exclusions apply. Normal fitting and balancing charges apply. Savings are off commercial tyres. current in-store regular point-of-sale price. All tyres must be fitted in-store at the time of purchase. Offers are available strictly while stocks last. General promotion terms and still conditions: Some additional size apply.This Normal balancing charges apply. aretyre off Normal AA Smartfuel rewards apply. Offer does not apply toexclusions trade accounts. offerfitting is not and to be used in conjunction withSavings any other current in-store regular point-of-sale AllSmartfuel tyres mustcents be fitted in-store at theAA time of purchase. Offers available strictly while stores stocksonly. last. specific promotion or offer except forprice. the AA per litre discount. Smartfuel savings areare available at participating Normal AA Smartfuel rewards still apply. Offer does not apply to trade accounts. This offer is not to be used in conjunction with any other tyre †For agricultural tyreorpricing, pleasefor ask in AA store for details. specific promotion offer except the Smartfuel cents per litre discount. AA Smartfuel savings are available at participating stores only.

†For agricultural tyre pricing, please ask in store for details.

IS THIS NZ’S MOST VALUABLE CARD? YOU DECIDE. 54 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Farm culvert maintenance Keeping culvert pipes well maintained is important for the longevity of these assets that ensure efficient access around the property. Regular maintenance as and where problems arise is the key to avoid things escalating and becoming a major or expensive fix. Preventative maintenance is the best form of upkeep. 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. Regular removal of debris (e.g. gravel or branches that has been carried into the culvert pipe during high flows) 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 buildup 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 sand-filled bags, should be undertaken at the first sign of damage. This mitigates accelerated erosion and is far cheaper than renewing the wingwall should it collapse entirely.

Regular flooding, or excessive repair and maintenance work required on a particular 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, smoothbore culverts will be less prone to blockage than corrugated-bore culverts of the same diameter. If culvert replacement or an addition is deemed necessary, things to consider when sizing the new culvert pipe/s are: • catchment area upstream of the culvert • local rainfall designation • sizing tables • t ype of culvert (plastic, concrete or metal)

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 under-scouring issues.

• c omparison with similar culverts on the property that perform well in normal rainfall • y our local authority is an excellent source of information and some culverts will require resource consent. In summary, the outcome of routine culvert maintenance is to keep the culvert in a good and safe operating condition by repairing specific defects as they occur. Only do temporary repairs if you are unable to do the job properly immediately. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Iplex Pipelines.

| From the maintenance of wing-walls to weed-spraying programmes – there are a number of preventative maintenance measures that can be undertaken on your culverts.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

THE FARMLANDER | 55

INSIST ON

Family Owned Australian Company

DON’T COMPROMIS

Since 1958

Ironman 4x4 are proud to produce the best accessories and suspension available today. Don’t end up with another brand ask for IRONMAN 4X4 by name.

IM-4 X4

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

From $428

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

56 | THE FARMLANDER

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

N IRONMAN 4X4

SE ON QUALITY - TRUST IRONMAN 4X4

IRONMAN DPS 5

From $609

EXCLUSIVE FARMLANDS SHAREHOLDER PRICES 1

Commercial Deluxe Bull Bar - $1880

12000lbs Winch - $1567

Rated Recovery Points - $256

Side steps - $883

Scrub Rails (requires side steps) - $352

7” LED Spotlights - $625

Airforce Snorkel - $436

Thermoplas Canopy - $3989

From $510 From $436

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

Family Owned Australian Company THE FARMLANDER | 57 Since 1958

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Ph: 0800 158 479

sales@blackduck.co.nz

www.blackduck.co.nz

Thinking Concrete?

Cattlestops Approved for milk tankers. One piece, fully assembled. Easy handling & installation. Standard 3240mm Wide 4610mm

Just $4,334 Just $5,562

Farm Grade Culvert Pipes Sizes available from 225mm-1200mm Farm Grade Culvert 300mm* Farm Grade Culvert 375mm*

$195 $245

Hydrains

See the specialists! hyndsrural.co.nz

0800 496 377

* For full address details please see our website www.hyndsrural.co.nz or phone us for your nearest store. Conditions: Exclusive Farmlands offers available, ask in store for details. Promotional pricing valid from 1st - 31st March 2020. Discounts are off Hynds normal retail price. Actual product supplied may be different to that pictured but identical in quality and price. Promotional items are strictly while stocks last. All prices include GST but exclude transport/delivery costs unless otherwise stated.

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

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Finding the best water solutions for your animals The importance of knowing animal water intake and finding the best water solutions are an important process on any farm. On average, calves can drink up to 25 litres of water a day, horses up to 35–55 litres a day and sheep up to 4 litres a day. It is not rocket science to know that animals need water just as much as the farmer tending to them. This can especially be said in the dryer months. Choosing the right water equipment for your farm is crucial in maintaining a healthy, happy environment for your animals and livestock. Depending on your farm’s climate or environment, you will need adaptable and innovative water solutions that work best for your business. At the end of the day, when animals and livestock have access to products that encourage them to drink, this will in turn, create positive results for your farm.

Understanding the drinking behavior of animals is essential in creating products that will be easy and accessible for them to use. Cows can drink up to 20 litres of water per minute and as dairy farmers know, healthy water intake can have a huge impact on quality milk production because about 87 percent of milk is in fact, water.

Stallion recognises that no farm is the same as the next and understands the importance of water solutions all year round, not just in the dryer months. It is one of the few reasons they offer such a wide range of water equipment.

“

When animals have access to products that encourage them to drink, this will in turn, create positive results for your farm.”

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Stallion’s innovative designs allow animals of all shapes and sizes the ability to comfortably use their products and can withstand the grunt of animals too. All products are easy to install and maintain as they are made of a tough, durable polyethylene plastic. The farm favourite, the Stallion PD8 or 8 litre Poly Drinker is ideal for pens as it grants animals easy access to plenty of water and in various locations, if need be. They are also easy to clean which helps keeps the water fresh and avoids the spread of diseases.

If you are thinking ahead in preparation for calving season, remember to keep the calves hydrated with appropriate water equipment and be sure to make their water intake an important part of their daily routine. For long-term thinking, healthy water intake can support rumen development, avoid dehydration and improve overall behaviour. Although most known for their calfrearing mobile feeders, Stallion offers a complete range of water solutions that are easy to explore online. All products are made to the highest quality and built to last for generations to come. For further information, talk to your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Stallion.

THE FARMLANDER | 59

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 Johnson of “Orua Wharo Station”, the land which is now the basis of “Mangapurakau Station”. This was seven years after winning the ballot for 1,500 acres (Hinerangi), part of the “Woburn Station” settlement. The purchase of 3,000 acres at £8 per acre gave Percy 4,500 acres of clean Hawke’s Bay hill country, all this achieved by the age of 29 years. The Orua Wharo land was the back block and was known as the wether run, where male sheep were finished before slaughter and export at two years of age. This enlarged farm was run as one until the end of WW2, when the two daughters married. Mary married Godfray von Dadelszen and was settled on 1,600 acres of the Orua

| Percy Wall’s first home.

60 | THE FARMLANDER

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

Wharo purchase, while Judith married John Ormond of Wallingford and received 1,400 acres. With the advent of the wool boom, income became available to develop land by ploughing, fencing and fertilising. Each block of land by now carried the sum total of all three previously. In 1951 Percy suffered a severe stroke and Godfray von Dadelszen, Percy’s son in law, took over the management of Percy’s three farms as well as Mangapurakau. By this time, the family of five children had moved to Hinerangi to live and a farm manager took over the day-to-day running of Mangapurakau. In 1972 Godfray’s son, Ponty graduated

from Lincoln College with a Diploma of Valuation and Farm Management, married Jane Hilgendorf from Mid Canterbury and took over the management of Mangapurakau. He was awarded the Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year in 1979. They have three 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 conjunction with Matt’s parents. Matt is also a graduate of Lincoln University with a degree in Agricultural Commerce and he and Paula have four children – Hannah, Ella, Zara and Oscar.

| Percy Wall, the horseman.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

partner that people require in a market of much greater complexity and uncertainty. We have built a team of specialists to work alongside farmers and investors whatever their plans and aspirations, anywhere in NZ. We have truly effective marketing and sales reach through strong local, national and global networks. Our website has more than 120,000 unique visits each month and growing.

Real estate market update

Most of all, Property Brokers is the informed, insightful and trusted partner of property vendors and buyers. Together, we can deliver that great future in New Zealand farming and land-based industry.

Farming requires foresight, knowledge and tenacity. Property Brokers transforms itself to deliver. New Zealand farming has a great future. Getting there will require foresight, knowledge and tenacity. It’ll require farmers and their business partners to combine the best of past practices with fresh thinking and new capabilities. We are committed to helping farmers, and all other investors in land-based industry, reach that future – a future that is secure, prosperous and sustainable. We’ve recently been through our own combination of past practices, fresh thinking and new capabilities to become the rural real estate partner that farmers and rural investors increasingly require. Property Brokers comes into 2020 with an even stronger presence in the market with 100 skilled and experienced rural/ lifestyle sales consultants deployed across New Zealand after a series of regional mergers. Our recent acquisitions of Quay Realty (Gisborne based), Hastings McLeod (South Island) and Pastoral Realty (King Country) in combination with our Farmlands strategic partnership, now provides a unique platform to meet the shareholder needs of NZ’s leading farm servicing co-operative group.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 | 0800 367 5263 | pb.co.nz

In truth, the past two years have been tough in rural real estate – a sign of the times as farmers and investors wrestle with all the challenges and opportunities that arise from shifting consumer demands, heightened environmental concerns, new regulations and constraints on capital availability. Everyone has seen real estate market activity levels fall and some easing in property values. Property Brokers has taken a deeper look at the market drivers and at the issues that farmers and investors must manage. We see huge potential but also more complexity and more uncertainty than historically has been the case. Today, decisions on property acquisition and divestment, on the best uses of land and resources, and on all the factors influencing the bottom line require more careful analysis and judgment than ever. Increasingly, they require foresight, knowledge and tenacity. For us, the challenge is to change the game in rural real estate. We must make sure that Property Brokers is exactly the forward-looking, knowledgeable and solid

In coming months, you will notice a range of initiatives targeted at supporting Farmlands shareholders, the most immediate being our “Farming West Coast” pathway to farm ownership seminars. Property Brokers, with the support of Development West Coast, is running “Farming West Coast” seminars. Seminars will be followed up by a hosted West Coast field trip (26-27 March) to coincide with Farmlands AgFest on the Coast. Farming on the West Coast is well suited to younger farmers looking for their first farm. West Coast farms have historically sold for their productive worth, and with improved certainty on the future payout and processor capital structure, you can find great value and service the borrowing at very realistic levels. Also, the owneroperator lifestyle and outdoor adventure playground is the envy of most rural New Zealanders. Property Brokers, in partnership with Farmlands, is uniquely positioned to drive insights and support shareholders, this West Coast initiative being a case in point.

Conrad Wilkshire, GM Rural for Property Brokers Ltd

THE FARMLANDER | 61

Waikato

Waharoa 1310 Alexandra Road Deadline sale

Investment at grass roots A very special 132.35 hectare vegetable production property with great free draining soil and ideal shape for cultivation and harvesting, is located approximately 5kms north of Waharoa. The property has a very well-formed central road and a sound range of implement and storage sheds. An approved scheme plan for subdivision is available which will ultimately provide for 9 titles being 3 x 8 hectares, 2 x 10 hectares, 16 hectares, 40 hectares, 32 hectares and a dwelling on 7000 square metres all subject to final survey and size. This property is very unique and provides a significant income stream from the present lease which can be renegotiated for a long-term investment if required.

62 | THE FARMLANDER

Deadline Sale closes 2.00pm, Tuesday 3rd March 2020 (unless sold prior) View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/MAR73074

Ian Morgan M 027 492 5878 P 0800 367 5263 ian.morgan@pb.co.nz

Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 | 0800 Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 | 0800367 3675263 5263| pb.co.nz | pb.co.nz

REAL ESTATE

Hamilton 268 State Highway 26

Boundary indicative only

Landbanking at its best 27 ha (more or less) of flat to very gentle rolling contour with sandy loam soil, located just minutes to Hamilton. With the new expressway providing easy access in and around Hamilton, this is a desirable location and a prime investment. Featuring a substantial home, separate stable block with 10 horse boxes, upstairs fully self-contained unit, 5-bay implement shed and a smaller 3 bedroom Beazley home. This is an excellent opportunity as a future development or landbank block with approximately 400m road frontage in a premium location.

For Sale $7,800,000 + GST if any View By Appointment Web pb.co.nz/MAR74258 Chelly Aitchison M 022 697 8779 chelly@pb.co.nz Ian Morgan M 027 492 5878 ian.morgan@pb.co.nz

Waimate 958 Waihaorunga Back Road

Melford Hills - Prime sheep and beef unit This prime sheep and beef unit located 30 minutes from Waimate is currently producing lambs for the Te Mana Lamb group and sire Speckle Park bulls, as well as finishing. Currently running approximately 2,800 ewes and 120 mixed age beef cows. The 805 ha farm with 120 paddocks has well-formed laneways connecting to most paddocks. There are two good farm homes a 3-stand shearing shed with large covered yards plus other out buildings. This third generation farm has been in the family since 1912 but it is time for the retiring vendors to move on.

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

For Sale By Negotiation View By Appointment Web pb.co.nz/TMR64627 Michael Richardson M 027 228 7027 michael@pb.co.nz

THE FARMLANDER | 63

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

3 major prize draws for a trip for 2 to Fieldays® to

play Find Your Fortune live at the Farmlands site!

When you buy Ballance fertiliser. Keen? Let's talk. Contact your Farmlands TFO today or ask us in-store. *Visit www.farmlands.co.nz/findyourfortune for full Terms and Conditions. Open to Farmlands shareholders. Promotion runs 2nd March 2020 to 30th April 2020. Every tonne of Ballance fertiliser ordered during the promotional period will receive one (1) entry in the draw (†bonus entries available for new customers) to find three (3) winners to attend the Find Your Fortune event taking place at Fieldays®, June 2020.